NEW YORK (AP) — The average major league salary dropped nearly 5% to more than $4.1 million on opening day from the start of the previous full season in 2019. That’s according to a study of major league contracts by The Associated Press. The average has fallen more than 6% since the start of the 2017 season. The salary downturn is yet another sign baseball could be headed toward labor strife and a possible work stoppage in 2022. Baseball’s middle class has borne the brunt of the drop. The median salary is less than $1.2 million, down 30% from the record high at the start of 2015. The 50 highest-paid players are drawing more than a third of all salaries. The 100 highest earn a half.
