Since buying the Mets six years ago, Steve Cohen has emphasized the importance of building an infrastructure that will sustain the franchise.
Part of his thinking undoubtedly was his hope to avoid massive payrolls with an eye toward the Mets’ profitability. But at least as equally pertinent, if not more important, was the idea a salary cap could neutralize any advantage held by the game’s big spenders.
MLB owners are now pushing for a salary cap in the next collective bargaining agreement. The players want no part of such a cap, meaning a lockout appears inevitable as this CBA nears expiration on Dec. 1.
The owners this week unveiled a proposal that calls for the implementation of a $258.2 million salary cap, beginning in 2028. The one-season lag time would give teams such as the Mets, Dodgers and Yankees a buffer toward slicing enough payroll to comply.
