Sal Stewart didn’t leave much room for interpretation when asked about the idea of a salary cap in Major League Baseball.
The Reds All-Star, who is one of two Cincinnati players in Philadelphia this week, was among the players questioned on Monday about whether a cap would help or hurt the game. Stewart’s answer was blunt.
“I think it’s bad for everyone - the teams, the players. I am not in favor," Stewart told Sportico.
He was far from the only player to come down on that side. Mike Trout, Cody Bellinger, Max Meyer, and others also said a salary cap would be bad for baseball.
That debate has taken center stage across the sport because the current Collective Bargaining Agreement is set to run out after the 2026 season. MLB has already put forward a new economic model that would start in 2027 and include a $245.3 million salary cap, a $171.2 million salary floor, and a 50-50 revenue split between owners and players.
The Players Association has pushed back hard against the idea. A cap would likely become a major flashpoint between the league and the union, and the current CBA expires on Dec.
1, 2026. There is growing concern that a lockout could spill into the 2027 season.
From MLB’s perspective, the cap and floor are about competitive balance, particularly for smaller-market clubs. From the players’ side, the argument is simpler: a salary cap would suppress salaries and tilt the system toward owners.
It’s one of the biggest storylines hanging over the sport, and Stewart made his position clear.
Meanwhile, another young All-Star with a fast rise is soaking in the moment. Just a little over a year after his MLB debut, Chase Burns is already an NL All-Star, and the right-hander has been one of the best pitchers in the game this season.
On Monday, Burns joined MLB Network and described the experience as a mix of emotions.
"Tons of different emotions," Burns told MLB.com. "I am excited to be here to meet all the great guys and learn from them. I am excited."
Burns also said he’s especially looking forward to talking with Brewers starter Jacob Misiorowski.
"I think the first pitch of the game when we were facing him was 103," Burns said. "I think I am going to ask him about that first, what he does, how his body is feeling, and what his routine is throughout the week.
Burns has put together a huge season, going 11-1 with a 2.54 ERA and 118 strikeouts in 18 starts.
In Other News...
Sal Stewart Just Fueled Reds Fans Biggest Promotion Debate
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The tricky part for the Reds is that the outfield picture is not exactly wide open, with several options already in the mix and no clear sign yet on when the next opening might appear. Stewarts comments only sharpen the question fans have been asking for weeks: if the bat is ready and the buzz is building, how long can Cincinnati afford to wait? [Read more 🡒]
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Chase Burns All-Star Moment Just Took A Tough Turn For Reds Fans
Chase Burns first All-Star nod was supposed to be another sign of how quickly he has climbed from promising rookie to one of the National Leagues most interesting young arms. The Reds also got Sal Stewart on the roster, but Burns drew the spotlight after a season that has already put him in rare company, with 18 starts, an 11-1 record and a 2.54 ERA while giving Cincinnati a legitimate frontline starter before the calendar has even fully turned.
Burns talked on MLB Network about the way he has attacked hitters and how his pitch mix continues to evolve, which is part of what makes his rise so intriguing for the Reds beyond the midsummer showcase. The only downside for Cincinnati is that the All-Star stage will not include him on the mound, leaving the club to wait a little longer to see how his breakout season carries into the next stretch of the year. [Read more 🡒]