Rob Manfred Addresses MLB Salary Cap Stance as Brewers, Rays Compete for World Series Title

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred continued the league's push for a salary cap prior to Game 1 of the World Series on Friday night.

Speaking to reporters prior to the start of the Tampa Bay Rays-Milwaukee Brewers series, Manfred reiterated his stance on behalf of the owners that a salary cap is needed despite having two small-market teams playing for a championship.

"I think it shows that we leave a lot on the table in some of our smaller markets by not having them have an opportunity to compete on a regular basis," Manfred said. "The Brewers have been a well-run franchise forever. It's been 40 years since we're here. Once every 40 years is not enough."

Manfred went on to say there is "an unprecedented level of unanimity among ownership" to bring a salary cap to MLB.

Even though Manfred made the point that Milwaukee is in the World Series for the first time since 1982, the Rays are making their third appearance in the Fall Classic since 2008. This is their second time winning the American League championship in seven seasons.

The combined $242 million in payrolls for the Brewers and Rays is the lowest for a World Series matchup in the last 10 seasons. It marks the second time during that span the combined payroll was under $300 million, along with 2020.

MLB laid out an initial proposal with a salary cap in May that starts at $245.3 million and contains a salary floor of at least $171.2 million. Only seven teams exceeded $245.3 million in payroll this season, while 15 teams were under $171.2 million in roster spending.

Of the top five teams in payroll spending this season, the Los Angeles Dodgers were the only one that reached the league championship series. Two of them — New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays — didn't even make the playoffs.

Three of the bottom seven teams in payroll spending — Rays, Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians — all made the playoffs. The Rays and Guardians met in the ALCS.

Milwaukee ranks 19th in payroll spending and was in the NLCS last year before getting to the World Series this year.

Manfred's comments come amid what is expected to be a prolonged labor battle between MLB and the MLB Players Association. The current collective bargaining agreement expires at 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 1.

MLB's last work stoppage was the 2021-22 lockout that lasted 99 days and pushed opening day back one week from March 31 to April 7.

There hasn't been a work stoppage that resulted in games lost since the 1994-95 player strike, which was also the last time owners dug in their heels for a salary cap.