Tony Clark’s resignation as MLBPA executive director sent a shockwave through Major League Baseball. The timing is especially poor, as the Players Association and MLB will enter into negotiations later this year when the CBA (collective bargaining agreement) expires in December.
The MLBPA elected Bruce Meyer as its new executive director, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. He didn’t hold back when discussing the chances of a lockout.
MLB’s CBA with the Players Association ends at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Dec. 1, 2026.
A work stoppage would be disastrous for the game of baseball
A work stoppage in 2027 would spell disaster for Major League Baseball, as the game could never be bigger. According to MLB, 51.0 million viewers tuned in to watch Game 7 of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays across the United States, Canada and Japan. 34.0 million viewers watched the whole World Series, up 19% from 2024.
The gripe of owners is the massive disparity in spending, with the Dodgers and other larger-market teams using deferrals and opt-outs to sign big-name players. Infielder Bo Bichette and outfielder Kyle Tucker were two names to sign deals with opt-outs. Bichette got a three-year deal ($126 million) with an opt-out after the first two years with the New York Mets, while Tucker signed a four-year deal ($240 million), with opt-outs after the second and third seasons with the Dodgers.
Commissioner Rob Manfred and the owners’ solution is a salary cap, which the players are against. Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper and San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado are two prominent names who have come out against a salary cap.
With no agreement in sight and both sides digging their heels in, baseball in 2027 could be in question.