MLB owners warn season could be cancelled in 2027

Several Major League Baseball owners are expressing that negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement could become so hostile that the league might not play any games in the 2027 season. Reporting from ESPN analyst Jeff Passan notes owners are already telling general managers to factor the possibility of a lockout into their trade deliberations.

The current CBA expires after the 2026 season, and with no agreement in place the league faces the risk of a work stoppage similar to past disputes. While a lockout is not deemed certain, the owners’ concerns signal a potentially severe labor impasse that could impact the upcoming season and related market activity.