In 2017, the league's gross revenue broke the $10 billion barrier for the first time in its history, with a $500 million revenue increase in just two years. At $10 billion in total league revenues, the threshold is way too low to achieve its original intent. The Dodgers spent $244 million last year and now are trying to fit under the $197 million threshold. MLB teams spent $2.53 billion on free agents in 2015-16, a figure that dropped to $1.45 billion in 2016-17. This year, teams have spent $780 million, so for now, the free agents will sit and wait.

Source: Forbes February 19, 2018 17:37 UTC