MLB's owners have united over the past few months, spurred on by criticism of the Los Angeles Dodgers and their willingness to try and win more games than the opposition, in pushing for one.The league has posted misleading graphics on their social media platforms in order to promote that view.
They've told fans that the sport they buy tickets for is broken and beyond repair, unless owners are allowed to limit what they spend on payroll.In a season where competitive balance is on full display, they've advertised that small market teams have little-to-no hope of winning a World Series.So how do the players feel about commissioner Rob Manfred and the New York office telling them that baseball is broken? Well, at the media days ahead of the 2026 All-Star Game, several of them got a chance to answer.MLB COMMISSIONER SAYS TRUMP 'INTERESTED' IN MLB CBA NEGOTIATIONS BUT 'WILL PASS' ON POTENTIAL HELPMike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels stands prior to the game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, N.Y., on April 13, 2025.
(Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)Sportico asked several stars at media days their feelings on a salary cap and the owners' negotiating strategy.Turns out, they don't like it."I think it's bad for the game," said Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout.
"The game's in a great spot right now, you know, I just don't support that.""I think if the billionaires are wanting it, you know, they're the billionaires for a reason, and they want to continue to enhance their portfolios as much as possible," added Yankees outfielder and former MVP Cody Bellinger."And us players understand that, and so the answer to your question is no good."MLB OWNERS REVEAL NEW DETAILS OF SALARY CAP PROPOSAL THAT ALL BUT GUARANTEE A LOCKOUT THIS DECEMBERToronto Blue Jays reliever Louis Varland, whose team lost to the big-spending Dodgers in the 2025 World Series, was even more direct, giving a one word answer: "Bad."Tigers outfielder Riley Greene said he wouldn't...