As the expiration of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement looms less than nine months away, both Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association are bracing for what could be a contentious winter. With a potential lockout on the horizon, the stakes are high as negotiations are set to begin next month, primarily focusing on the contentious issue of a salary cap—an idea the owners support and the union vehemently opposes.

“We’ve been preparing for this fight for years,” said Bruce Meyer, the interim executive director of the MLBPA, during a stop at Steinbrenner Field on the union’s annual spring tour of all 30 teams. Meyer emphasized the momentum the league has enjoyed, citing increased attendance and viewership. “If the league is saying they’re looking to shut that down, that doesn’t make a lot of sense for a lot of reasons. But we’ll be prepared for that and everything else that may be coming.”

Gerrit Cole, who has served on the executive subcommittee, echoed the sentiment after a recent meeting with the players’ association. He described the session as “very informative, very thorough,” and acknowledged the challenges ahead. Despite concerns about a potential lockout, Cole remains optimistic. “The sport is growing, the viewership is younger, the gate is up, the players’ pay is up, club appreciations are up,” he noted. “Obviously there is a whole list of concerns. … I’m optimistic that through good conversations, through a lot of deliberation and some tense moments, ultimately the best will come out.”

Meyer made it clear that the union has consistently opposed salary caps, stating, “We see no reason to change that view.” He also pointed out that salary caps do not guarantee competitive balance, suggesting that baseball currently maintains a better competitive landscape compared to other major sports that employ salary caps. “The problem we have in baseball is not with the teams that are trying to win games and trying to spend money,” Meyer explained. “It’s with teams that maybe aren’t trying as hard as they can. That’s the problem with competition in baseball.”

In other team news, Oswaldo Cabrera is set to make his spring debut, starting at shortstop against the Rays, marking his first game since suffering an ankle injury and ligament damage last May. Manager Aaron Boone expressed excitement for Cabrera, stating, “Obviously it’s been a pretty long road for him. It’s been exciting to see some of the improvement he’s made over the last few weeks.”

Cody Bellinger also returned to the lineup Thursday after a week sidelined due to back stiffness. He played four innings in right field and recorded an 0-for-1 performance with a walk in a rain-shortened 15-0 loss to the Twins. “Felt really good,” Bellinger said, adding that he is scheduled to play left field on Friday. “Felt 100 percent.”

The Yankees made several roster moves on Thursday, optioning RHP Chase Hampton to Double-A Somerset while reassigning RHP Travis MacGregor and RHP Drake Fellows to minor league camp.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.

William Caldwell is a veteran journalist whose career has spanned the highs and lows of the sports world. With a focus on baseball and hockey, William’s articles are known for their depth and historical perspective, making him a favorite among fans who appreciate the rich traditions of sports. Outside the press box, William is an amateur historian with a particular interest in sports memorabilia.