Brent Rooker (Image Credits: Imagn)

Brent Rooker Refuses To Tolerate MLB Salary Cap Talk- 'Make Owners Richer'

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports
By Paranjoy Goswami | Last updated Feb 20, 2026 12:13 PM ET

The introduction of a salary cap in the MLB will perhaps be the foremost subject of discussion at the next Collective Bargaining Agreement, towards the end of this year. Team owners unanimously favor it, but the Players’ Association opposes it and may trigger a work stoppage.

Brent Rooker of the Athletics flatly stated that the MLB Players’ Association will never agree to a salary cap. The 31-year-old outfielder says it is a device for owners to solely keep player wages down for their own profit. Moreover, it will have a damaging effect on the league’s competitiveness.

“Salary caps are designed to suppress wages so owners can make more money. That’s pretty much it. It’s the only goal behind it. They’re not trying to accomplish anything else besides that,” Rooker told the Foul Territory podcast on Thursday.

"We're not going to tolerate that being implemented into our game."@Brent_Rooker25 says a salary cap won't do anything but suppress wages and make owners richer. pic.twitter.com/Zg89x6lFz6
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) February 19, 2026

“That’s not good for the league. That’s not good for the players. And that’s not good for competitive balance or parity. So, we’re not going to tolerate that being implemented into our game.”

At the moment, the Los Angeles Dodgers have the highest wage bill, with total expenditures exceeding $520 million. The figure is larger than the five teams with the lowest payrolls in the MLB.

New MLBPA Executive Director Clears Stance on MLB Salary Cap

Bruce Meyer & Tony Clark (Image Credits: Imagn)

Following the resignation of Tony Clark earlier this week, the MLB Players’ Association named Bruce Meyer as the executive director on Thursday. Meyer reiterated the stance of the union towards an MLB salary cap during his first press conference in his new role.

“A market system is absolutely crucial for the players, so we’re dedicated to preserving and improving that system for players at all levels,” he stated.

New MLBPA chief Bruce Meyer insists it will be business as usual on union stance: Hard no on salary cap and retention of salary arbitration. https://t.co/zYdW3L31k0
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 20, 2026

“It’s been a priority for us. It was last time in bargaining—to get younger guys paid earlier, given that our system basically doesn’t give them access to their rights for a long period of time, starting from when they’re in the minors.”

Meyer takes over the MLB Players’ Association under challenging circumstances. Clark resigned from his position following revelations in a federal investigation. The Eastern District Court of New York is charging the former executive director with the improper use of licensing funds, based on evidence indicating that he had an improper relationship with his sister-in-law.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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