New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto is speaking out against Major League Baseball's proposed salary cap, which would allocate more than 20 percent of the Mets' theoretical cap space to his contract alone. Soto holds the largest contract in baseball history.
"I don't think that's right, to have a cap," said Soto. "Baseball is doing great. We've been increasing every year. It's been great for baseball. We are in the best moment in baseball right now in all kinds of ways. Why should we have a cap?"
MLB's opening proposal calls for a $245.3 million cap and $171.2 million floor for 2027, with a 50-50 revenue split. Soto is scheduled to earn $57.5 million that season under his 15-year, $765 million contract signed with New York in December 2024.
Mets pitcher David Peterson, the team's union representative, was equally blunt.
"It's ridiculous," said Peterson.
Soto responded simply when told of Peterson's remarks: "I'd agree with that."
League spokesperson Glen Caplin defended the proposal, citing competitive imbalance.
"The biggest issue we need to solve next to continue to grow the game off the field is fixing the payroll disparity unseen in any other major U.S. sport," said Caplin. "Fans overwhelmingly support a salary cap and floor like in the other leagues."
Peterson argued baseball's structure differs fundamentally from basketball, where cap systems are more practical given smaller rosters.
"It works in basketball in that way because they don't have as many guys, so you have a lot less guys for the pot to go around," said Peterson. "And that's a league where one or two people on the team pretty much sell the team. That's a lot harder to do in baseball."
New York's 2026 payroll stands at approximately $368 million. Despite the investment, the Mets sit at 27-35. Soto, however, has posted a 165 wRC+ and .959 OPS with 13 home runs despite missing 16 April games.



