What happened: The current collective bargaining agreement expires at 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 1. Owners are expected to lock out players if the sides do not reach a new deal.
Why it matters: A transaction freeze would narrow the offseason window before Opening Day on March 25, 2027.
By the numbers: The previous lockout lasted 99 days, from Dec. 2, 2021, to March 10, 2022.
What to watch: MLB owners meet Nov. 17–19, the next scheduled checkpoint before the labor deal expires.