Max Scherzer echoed familiar criticisms of the Yankees on Tuesday when discu sing MLBs Competitive Balance Tax.Scherzer spoke as part of a union panel following the leagues decision to cancel games, a choice that was made after owners and the MLBPA didnt agree on a new collective bargaining agreement before an MLB-imposed 5 p.m. deadline. One of the main i sues was the CBT, also known as , and the penalties for teams that exceed its thresholds. Heres what the two sides proposed regarding the CBT, via : Rollie Fingers Jersey MLB: Base thresholds at $220M in 2022, $220M in 2023, $220M in 2024, $224M in 2025, $230M in 2026MLBPA: thresholds at $238M in 2022, $244M in 2023, $250M in 2024, $256M in 2025, $263M in 2026Gap: $18M in 2022, growing to $33M in 2026The CBT threshold was $189 million from 2014-2016 and incrementally increased from 2017-2021. It was $210 million last season.The CBT was initially seen as a way to limit breakaway spending. However, it has functioned as a de facto salary cap, with big market teams often refusing to exceed the thresholds in order to Randy Jones Jersey avoid the costly penalties. The Yankees have been among those teams in certain years, including 2021, a fact Scherzer referenced by noting that the financial behemoths had a smaller payroll than the San Diego Padres.The Yankees were just over $208 million in 2021, per . With the goal of resetting penalties in mind, they were sure to stay below the $210 million threshold Johnny Manziel Jersey , even when upgrading before the trade deadline. The Padres were over $216 million, per . Meanwhile, prior to the lockout, Scherzer signed with Steve Cohens Mets, who spent as if the CBT doesnt exist. Scherzers record-setting, three-year, $130 million deal was part of a spending spree that exceeded $250 million before rosters froze. Scroll to ContinueSuch spending used to be expected of the Yankees on a yearly basis, but owner Hal Steinbrenner said hed be okay with an even CBT threshold prior to CBA negotiations. READ: While the Yanks have annually remained among the leaders in payroll and have made pricey splashes that force them to exceed thresholds like signing Gerrit Cole before the 2020 season there is no question their adherence to the CBT has handicapped their roster construction in certain years. It has also brought about criticism from fans and pundits. New Yorks decision to stand pat in free agency prior to the lockout Tyson Ross Jersey while other teams splurged increased skepticism over whether the organization will make nece sary upgrades whenever the market re-opens. GM Brian Cashman that he expects the clubs payroll to increase in 2022, but that was always bound to happen with little money coming off the books and a bevy of high-profile Yankees . New York, following an inconsistent season, has question marks at shortstop, first base, center field and in the rotation, among other positions. Will it spend Allen Craig Jersey the money needed to quell some of those concerns?Recent history warrants doubt, but it will take some time for that question to be answered as MLB and the union prepare for more negotiations. Expect the CBT to remain a sticking point whenever the two sides start talking again.MORE: