MLB commissioner Rob Manfred addresses work stoppage worries as potential lockout looms

During a Thursday afternoon appearance on New York sports radio station WFAN, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred revealed that individuals within the league have discussed the idea of "split seasons" and an in-season tournament similar to that featured by the NBA. 

Manfred also touched upon what seems to be an inevitable work stoppage that could impact parts or all of the 2027 season. 

Rob Manfred targeting 162-game season for 2027

"I came inside of baseball in 1998," Manfred said during the interview. "We have always played, through five or six rounds of bargaining, we have always played 162 games [outside of the pandemic-shortened 2020 season]. All I can tell you is that, when I came, my goal was to make sure that every time we bargained, we played 162. And that's my goal this time around."

The collective bargaining agreement between MLB and the MLB Players Association expires on Dec. 1, 2026. Most expect that a lockout will at least threaten some regular-season games in 2027. 

"I do think there has been a rush to negativity by a lot of the media that covers our sport," Manfred continued, according to Sportsnet. "We haven't even started the process ... I think we have to wait and see how things unfold at the table."

As individuals such as Barry M. Bloom of Forbes have mentioned, MLB owners attempting to "jam" a salary cap and floor "down the union’s throat" will "certainly" result in the start of a lockout that could extend into the 2027 season. Opening Day for the 2022 campaign was pushed back because of a lockout, but teams nevertheless played full 162-game schedules.

Is salary cap a "deal-breaker" amid MLB, MLBPA negotiations? 

During Thursday's interview, Manfred was asked if the existence of a salary cap would be a "deal-breaker" in negotiations with the union. 

Manfred said that's a question for MLBPA executive director Tony Clark. 

"I have never been in a negotiation where, before the first piece of paper went across the table, I or anyone I represented was out there saying, 'We absolutely will not talk about it.' I just think it's a hard way to begin a negotiation," Manfred added.

Until a deal is signed, there's little Manfred can say or do to ease the worries of passionate baseball fans regarding what may take place from this coming December through the spring and summer of 2027.