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MLB owners propose major changes to free agency amid labor tensions

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 25, 2026, 8:48 PM

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

MLB owners propose major changes to free agency amid labor tensions

Summary

Major League Baseball owners introduced a new collective bargaining agreement proposal on June 25, 2026, with significant adjustments to free agency and player contracts. Key components include a cap on free-agent contracts at five years and a new provision allowing up to six years for teams retaining their free agents. Owners aim to alter free agency eligibility, reducing the requirement from six years to five years of service for players under 30. The proposal also includes plans for increasing the league's minimum salary to $1 million starting in 2027. Labor relations between MLB and the MLB Players Association remain fraught, suggesting potential conflicts as the current agreement nears its end.

Source Links

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Key Details

•MLB owners proposed a cap on free-agent contracts at five years.
•Teams can offer six-year deals to retain their own free agents.
•Free agency eligibility may change to five years of service before age 30.
•Minimum salary is proposed to increase to $1 million for players with two years of service.
•Negotiations continue amid rising tensions between MLB and the MLBPA.

Latest Updates

8:48 PMYahoo Sports — MLB owners latest CBA proposal adds fuel to fire in ongoing battle with MLBPA

What they're saying

"
Labor tensions between Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association took another significant turn on Thursday. League owners unveiled a sweeping new proposal that could dramatically reshape free agency, contracts, and player compensation beginning after the 2027 season. Negotiations…
— Yahoo Sports

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