October baseball still remains, but as the games go on, a cloud slowly approaches. The current collective bargaining agreement expires December 1, and the possibility of another lockout is already shaping the offseason conversation.
The league recently sent teams a memo on how to treat players during a lockout. The writing is on the wall, and has been for years.
As I start planning offseason content (with my two AI teams, more on that later), I want a clear sense of how the league landscape will work.
So I found the most commonly asked questions about the lockout and answered them.
When could an MLB lockout begin?
The current CBA expires at 11:59 p.m. Eastern on December 1, 2026. So, if no deal is met, December 2nd would be the start date. Just in time for the holidays!
Can Teams Sign Free Agents or Make Trades During a Lockout?
Major League transactions would be expected to freeze, as they did during the 2021–22 lockout.
For a team trying to fill a hole, that could make November important. Of course, you might end up signing someone who sits for the first year of their contract.
What Still Happens Before The Deadline?
Teams still have a month to run under the existing rules. Free agency opens after the World Series, followed by the usual qualifying-offer process and roster decisions.
The reported 2026 calendar puts the Rule 5 protection deadline at November 17 at 6 p.m. Eastern and the non-tender deadline on November 20. Clubs must submit qualifying offers five days after the World Series.
Can Players Use Team Facilities or Work With Coaches?
No, players are strictly prohibited from working with team coaches or using club facilities during an MLB lockout. All official contact with team personnel is cut off, meaning players must organize their own private workouts, and injured players cannot rehab with team doctors or athletic trainers.
Would Minor Leaguers Keep Playing?
Minor League players have their own collective bargaining agreement, which the MLBPA says expires December 1, 2027. A Major League lockout would not automatically shut down that separate system. The key distinction for a prospect is whether the Major League agreement covers him, including through a 40-man roster spot.
During the last lockout, those players were caught in the stoppage while teammates outside the 40-man roster could keep playing and developing. Will be kind of a mess.
What Happens to The Rule 5 Draft?
The 2021 Major League phase was ultimately canceled because of the lockout. The minor-league phase still took place. Most likely, teams will have to protect their players on November 17th, and then wait two weeks and see if there is a lockout.
What are the Owners and Players Fighting Over
Everything.
But the salary cap is central to the disagreement. MLB has proposed a $245.3 million cap and a $171.2 million floor for 2027. The players, and most fans, want nothing to do with a salary cap.
Revenue split, number of games, free-agent service time, etc., will be sticking points as well.
How Long Was The Last Lockout?
The previous lockout ran from December 2, 2021, until March 10, 2022. It lasted 99 days. Opening Day moved to April 7, but the schedule was reworked to preserve a full 162-game season. (MLB has made it clear they do not want a 162-game season, by the way)
Will the 2027 Season be Delayed?
Nobody knows (insert Nate Bargatze meme)
They have months to figure this out, but they will drag it out. I predict I will lose a lot of fans over the next six months because of my opinions.
In short, I don’t sympathize with millionaires and billionaires fighting each other.
Cry about it.
If you haven’t already, please consider subscribing below!
I don't think there's a moral issue that would cause one to take the side of the owners OR the players. It's strictly business. Don't tell me about "billionaire owners" or "millionaire players." They're all just rich economic actors.
Personally, I think since we already have a "luxury tax," a reasonable alternative to the cap would be to double or triple the luxury tax rate, and distribute the money to the other clubs, with the requirement that it be spent on salaries.
In general, professional sports are the farthest thing from a free market. The teams can only exist if there are other teams able to compete with them, and it's in everyone's interest to keep rich teams from attaining permanent dominance.
Thank you for the synopsis, much appreciated. As for losing me due to a baseball opinion, it’s baseball, not national politics or some other more important subject. In another industry I’ve been both a union member and an upper management director. I don’t mind businessmen making a profit, I do despise when management does not take care of workers, I don’t care in this case that it’s mostly coddled ball players. If you want a good product on the field, take care of those doing the work. Rant over, get off my lawn.