The MLB Players Association submitted its opening proposal in collective bargaining talks Wednesday, presenting sweeping changes to the sport's financial structure while making no mention of a salary cap, as MLB prepares to formally propose a hard cap-and-floor system for the first time in more than three decades.

The union's proposal includes raising the base Competitive Balance Tax threshold from $244 million to $300 million, nearly doubling the major-league minimum salary, expanding local television revenue sharing, and introducing a "competitive-integrity tax" penalizing low-spending clubs that mirrors the existing CBT structure for high-spending teams.

"Today, the MLBPA presented a comprehensive set of economic proposals designed to advance the rights and benefits of players at all levels," said MLBPA interim executive director Bruce Meyer. "Our goal is to preserve and improve baseball's market system, rewarding competition on and off the field."

MLB responded cautiously, acknowledging the proposal while questioning its impact on competitive balance.

"We appreciate the union making a set of proposals and we look forward to continuing the bargaining process," said MLB spokesman Glen Caplin. "Unfortunately, they do not address and in fact exacerbate the competitive balance problem our fans are telling us we must address. Under the Union's proposal, the Dodgers would pay less in luxury tax payments, giving them an additional $70 million to spend on payroll."

Additional elements of the union's proposal include raising the minimum salary from $780,000 to $1.5 million in 2027, scaling to $2.2 million by 2031, expanding the pre-arbitration bonus pool from $50 million to $180 million, allowing players 30 and older to reach free agency after five years of service time, and eliminating the qualifying offer system.

The current CBA expires December 1. MLB would likely lock out players again if no agreement is reached, potentially threatening the 2027 season. The previous labor dispute produced a 99-day lockout finalized in March 2022.

The MLB remains the only major North American professional sports league without a cap-and-floor system. The league is expected to formally propose one Thursday.

"Players across the league are engaged and involved," said MLBPA executive subcommittee member Brent Suter. "We're committed to leaving our game better for every generation of player that follows us onto the field."