MLB's lockout is coming. How it impacts Reds, Elly De La Cruz, fans

The 2026-27 MLB season is set to be impacted by an incoming labor lockout. The deadline for the collective bargaining agreement is Dec. 1, and if it expires, it will cause immediate stagnation in all MLB business, including free agency that starts a month later. This could also delay spring training and potentially the entire 2027 season.

Commissioner Rob Manfred has been advocating for a salary cap to promote competitive balance among teams. However, players' union head Bruce Meyer argues that a salary cap is the opposite of competition and undermines the core purpose of the sport. Despite this, a lockout is expected, as there is no indication that the owners and Manfred would risk a shutdown for such a measure.

Some fans are clamoring for a salary cap, believing it would improve their teams' chances of winning championships. However, Manfred's arguments often frame the issue as if fans are pushing for the cap, while the reality is that fans primarily want their teams to have hope of winning championships. The owners' claim that a salary cap will bring parity is also questioned due to a lack of empirical evidence supporting this notion.

Interestingly, the Reds themselves are considered one of the most profitable teams in MLB, potentially contradicting the notion that smaller-market teams have a significant disadvantage. In fact, several teams with smaller TV markets have won World Series championships, including the Brewers and Rays, despite typically spending less than the Reds. Consequently, the extent to which a salary cap could substantially impact competitive disparity in MLB is debatable.