The Philadelphia Phillies had a strong regular season, but ultimately fell short of the World Series again. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ superteam ended up defeating the Phillies in the postseason on their way to another World Series win.
The Dodgers’ spending habits have opened up plenty of conversation about competitive balance and a potential salary cap. With the collective bargaining agreement ending after next season, a salary cap discourse may lead to a lockout. Bryce Harper already made his thoughts on a salary cap known when he reportedly got into a verbal altercation with commissioner Rob Manfred in July, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Manfred was visiting with the Phillies as part of an annual visit he hosts with all 30 clubs’ players. Harper reportedly told Manfred to “get the (expletive) out of our clubhouse,” when Manfred mentioned the idea of a salary cap. Manfred reportedly replied by saying he would not leave and continued the meeting.
Those details from ESPN were the only details on the altercation until a new report from sports agent Allan Walsh. During an appearance on “Agent Provocateur,” Walsh reported that, later, a “deputy” of Manfred’s allegedly threatened Harper.
“Don’t ever say that again to the commissioner,” Walsh said, quoting what was allegedly said to Harper. “Don’t ever disrespect him again publicly like that. That’s how people end up in a ditch.”
Harper has always been vocal about his thoughts on controversial aspects of Major League Baseball. The MLB Players Association is against the idea of a salary cap because it can hurt their earnings. MLB is the only major North American professional sports league that does not have a salary cap. If the altercation between Harper and Manfed is any indication. The next CBA negotiations could get very ugly.
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