MLB Commissioner Acknowledges Concern Over Potential Work Stoppage

Commissioner Rob Manfred said Wednesday he is concerned that negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement could result in a lengthy work stoppage. The current agreement expires Dec. 1. If no deal is reached by then, owners are expected to lock out players.

Background on the talks Manfred spoke during the owners meetings in New York.

He noted that owners had proposed a salary cap of $245.3 million and a hard floor of $171.2 million. The union has opposed a salary cap and instead proposed changes within the existing competitive balance tax system.

History of prior negotiations Manfred said owners had tried to address competitive balance through the tax system in past rounds. He added that the new proposal seeks a broader overhaul. The last lockout occurred when the prior agreement expired in December 2021 and lasted 99 days. The 1994-95 strike canceled 948 regular-season games and the entire 1994 postseason.