With the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) set to expire on Dec. 1, 2026, representatives from MLB and the Players Association (MLBPA) recently met to begin discussing key labor issues.
The two sides are believed to be at odds over the implementation of a potential salary cap for the first time in MLB history. The players remain strongly against one as it would limit their potential earnings, while the league believes an MLB salary cap is necessary to improve competitive balance.
If a salary cap ends up being a sticking point for team owners, MLB could be facing a possible work stoppage. MLBPA executive director Tony Clark previously said the union would not be receptive to any salary cap proposals in the next round of CBA talks.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said it is his top priority to ensure the league doesn’t lose any games in 2027 if a lockout occurs, via ESPN’s Jorge Castillo:
“There has never been a lost game since I became involved as an employee of baseball and it is my goal to get this next one done, keeping that record intact,” Manfred said. “It’s a lot of work to be done between now and then, but that’s my goal.”
MLB lockouts have occurred in 1973, 1976, 1990 and from 2021-2022. Player strikes came in 1972, 1973, 1980, 1981, 1985 and 1994-1995.
The longest work stoppage stemmed from the 1994-1995 players’ strike, which lasted 232 days and cost the sport a total of 948 games.
MLB managed to avoid lockouts in 2006, 2011 and 2016 by coming to terms with the union before what was the current collective bargaining agreement expired.
When will MLB CBA negotiations begin?
While it is encouraging that MLB and the MLBPA have already made an effort to meet, formal CBA negotiations are not expected to be held until the spring.
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