In separate polls of 101 anonymous MLB players and almost 8,500 fans conducted by The Athletic, an overwhelming majority of both groups indicated they are bracing for a lockout before the 2027 season.In the first segment released from The Athletic’s annual MLB player poll, which was conducted across 23 teams from February to May, 80 respondents said they believed there would be a lockout this offseason.“Yes, there will 100 percent be a lockout,” one American League pitcher said. “But the real question is whether or not it’ll bleed into losing games. Probably. This is (Rob) Manfred’s last task to accomplish before it’s all done, and I think he’s going to try to get a salary cap.”Nineteen of those polled said they were not sure. Only two players said they did not expect a lockout to occur.In the fan survey, 77.7 percent of respondents said they believe MLB will miss games in 2027 as a result of a lockout. That specter serves as negotiating leverage for both the league and the MLB Players Association. But with the sport experiencing boosts in attendance, ratings and overall interest, it’s also a fate that could have consequences for both sides.The Athletic’s fan survey revealed 21.8 percent of respondents said missing games could turn them away from MLB “for a significant amount of time,” while 33.7 percent said it would depend on how many games could be canceled.“I think we’re not going to lose games,” one player from the National League West said. “We’re going to find a way to play 162, but there’s going to be some kind of inconvenience with the spring training.”As all sides brace for a labor fight this coming winter, the solution remains uncertain. In MLB’s initial labor proposal, the league pitched a hard salary cap of $245.3 million and hard floor of $171.2 million.Players have indicated they will fight hard against such a system. The fan survey, however, showed 57.9 percent of participating fans want a cap-and-floor system. Only 38.9 percent supported the game’s current market system.When the question was narrowed, however, 44.4 percent of fans supported a soft cap and floor, compared with 39.7 percent supporting a hard cap and floor.The MLBPA’s initial bargaining proposal pitched raising existing “luxury tax” thresholds and instituting a “Competitive Integrity Tax” for clubs that do not meet minimum payroll benchmarks.Will there be an MLB lockout next season? Here's what players think.Sam BlumFor fans, a perception of poor competitive balance seems to drive at least some of the desire for a cap.When asked whether MLB’s competitive balance is better or worse than the NBA, NFL and NHL — all of which operate with salary caps — 57.7 percent of respondents said worse. Last season’s Dodgers, operating with a league-high payroll, became the first team to win consecutive World Series since the Yankees from 1998-2000.“Ask yourself who is going to win the Super Bowl next year and you could have 15 possible choices,” one fan responded. “World Series? The Dodgers … and perhaps three or four other teams could get lucky.”Interestingly, when asked who was primarily responsible for the wide spending disparity in the sport, 59.9 percent of fans said owners who spent too little. Only 15.6 percent blamed owners who spend too much.The debates over the sport’s financial system and overall parity will likely rage on for months. The league’s current collective bargaining agreement expires Dec. 1.Although a majority of fans we polled support some form of a cap-and-floor system, when asked who would be to blame if MLB ultimately misses games, only 21.9 percent of fans said they would blame the players. A total of 45.3 percent indicated they would blame owners. Just over 30 percent said they would blame both sides equally.“I want to believe that both sides can understand that baseball is in a very good spot right now,” said one of two players not expecting a lockout. “The league feels like it’s as popular as ever. I don’t think we should stunt the growth out of greed.”Jun 18, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms