Over the weekend, many MLB fans were upset that the Los Angeles Dodgers traded for Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers. The Dodgers are on the verge of winning a third straight World Series. The 29 other teams in the MLB feel like they are powerless at this point and feel like they are just playing for second place.

Jul 20, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) poses for a selfie with a fan before the team’s game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

At some point, things need to change. There needs to be a salary cap in this sport. There also needs to be a first apron and second apron just like the NBA does. Since the NBA has adopted those rules, it has created amazing parity in the sport, and it is working. It is time for MLB to do the same as well.

Why the MLB Needs a Salary Cap, First Apron, and Second Apron

Jul 20, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; San Francisco Giants second baseman Luis Arraez (1) talks with shortstop Willy Adames (2) after a play against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

There are a lot of reasons why the MLB needs to go to a salary cap, first apron, and second apron system like the NBA does to create a ton of parity across the MLB.

A hard cap creates a maximum spending ceiling

A hard cap would prevent a team from simply outspending the league indefinitely.

Example:

  • Team A revenue: $1 billion
  • Team B revenue: $300 million

Without a cap, Team A can absorb bad contracts, pay multiple superstars, and fix mistakes by spending more.

With a cap:

  • Every team has the same maximum payroll.
  • Front offices have to make harder decisions.
  • Scouting, player development, coaching, and analytics become more important.

The argument is: money still matters, but it cannot completely overwhelm roster-building skill.

A salary floor would prevent teams from being cheap. They need to have a floor of $175 million and a cap space of $315 million.

The first apron would punish teams that are already spending heavily

The NBA’s apron idea is basically:

“You can spend above the cap, but there are consequences.”

For MLB, a first apron could mean:

  • Higher luxury taxes
  • Reduced draft flexibility
  • Less international bonus money
  • Limits on trades

A team slightly above the cap could still operate, but it becomes expensive.

The second apron would prevent superteams

This is the biggest reason people want it.

A second apron says:

“If you are massively over the cap, you lose certain roster-building advantages.”

Possible MLB penalties:

  • Cannot exceed certain trade rules
  • Lose draft position advantages
  • Lose international signing advantages
  • Cannot take on large contracts in trades
  • Higher tax rates

The goal is not to punish spending. It is to stop a team from having:

  • Multiple $300 million players
  • Elite depth
  • Expensive bullpen
  • Expensive bench
  • Expensive rotation

all at once.

Having the second apron would mean that teams like the Dodgers would have to shed salary immediately and spread out the talent across the MLB. Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, Tarik Skubal, and Blake Snell all probably would not have to be on the same team anymore and would have to be elsewhere. It’s time for the MLB to adopt these rules.

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