The clock is ticking towards another disastrous MLB work stoppage, but one World Series champion has a stern warning for both sides about a move he considers simply ‘criminal.’

The current CBA is set to end by December, 2026. And former Blue Jays pitcher Chris Bassitt thinks that MLB and the players’ union are on the verge of making a ‘criminal’ mistake that could derail the sport’s momentum. His proposed solution is simple, but one the league has historically failed to execute.

“For years, we’ve fought to get growth in our game, and for years we’ve fought to have the fans love this sport and do everything we possibly can. And then for this to possibly get in the way would be insane. It would be criminal.” Bassitt responded as Foul Territory’s A. J. Pierzynski asked, “Let’s start negotiating for real right now. Why? Why don’t they?”

The upcoming CBA negotiations are projected to be dominated by a few disagreements, like the salary cap. So, getting the discussions underway well ahead of the deadline could make all the difference.

Chris Bassitt believes negotiations should start sooner rather than later, as dragging things out only increases the risk of a lockout. We already got a taste of it in 2021-22.

The previous CBA expired, and the sides could not agree on economic terms, including salary cap issues and compensation for younger players. And the result was a 99-day lockout, which halted free agency, delayed Spring Training, and postponed Opening Day. Instead of March 31, the regular season started on April 7, 2022.

Bassitt even compared the whole scenario to how teams often wait until the last possible moment to make arbitration offers to players.

With baseball currently growing at a strong pace (+27% rise in 2025 playoff viewership), starting the negotiations now might be the best way to ensure a lockout doesn’t interrupt that momentum.

“I mean, that’s literally the thing that would piss me off,” Bassitt remarked when talking about the possibility of delayed negotiations behind the scenes.

In his view, putting off the talks until the deadline would almost guarantee trouble, and that’s why he called it “criminal.”

Especially after maintaining a 1.50 ERA with 7 strikeouts across his 2025 World Series appearances out of the bullpen, it’s no surprise that he’s worried.

Pierzynski also agrees because one of the biggest sticking points in the next CBA negotiations would be the idea of a salary cap. Interestingly, Pierzynski sees this less as a direct fight between players and owners and more as an issue among the franchises themselves.

Big-market teams like the Dodgers and Yankees invest big in players and end up paying luxury tax penalties.

For instance, the Dodgers have paid $169.4 million in MLB luxury tax for the 2025 season. Small-market teams like the Pirates and Marlins receive this payment, along with the TV rights revenue share, to maintain competitive equality. However, they are mostly accused of not spending enough on the players.

Per Pierzynski, the salary cap is more of a fight to stop the free flow of revenue.

Still, whether that actually becomes part of the next deal will ultimately depend on how MLB owners and the MLBPA manage to find common ground during the negotiations, and that’s rarely a quick or easy process.

Chris Bassitt is not buying the concept of the salary cap

Even though the idea of a salary cap keeps getting pushed as a solution, Chris Bassitt isn’t convinced, and his opinion matters. That’s largely because he’s part of the subcommittee for the MLBPA.

Bassitt has been clear about where he stands.

In his view, bringing in a salary cap “doesn’t fix anything.”

Yet, reports suggest that MLB owners are likely to push hard for one when the current CBA expires in December, hoping it will slow down the massive spending and free flow of money across the league.

However, per Bassitt, MLB still enjoys one of the best competitive equities compared to some other leagues, despite teams like the Dodgers and Mets being miles ahead in spending.

Right now, we are all but certain that the upcoming CBA negotiations will witness some bad blood between the owners and the MLBPA. No matter whether the negotiations are set to begin now or later, tensions are inevitable. Even then, starting the negotiations early would help both parties to buy out some time before the 2027 season starts.