Living page · Updated Sep 28, 2026

Offseason Tracker

Rumors, moves, decisions and the labor fight, kept in one place all winter. Bookmark it.

The labor fight

CBA status: Negotiating

Owners want a salary cap ($245.3M) with a floor ($171.2M). The union calls it a non-starter. A lockout on Dec. 2 is widely expected.

If there is a lockout, all free-agent signings and trades stop, and players lose access to team facilities.

Source

Key dates

Sept 27Regular season ends src
Oct 23–31World Series (Game 7 no later than Oct 31) src
Oct–early NovBo Bichette opt-out decision src
~Early NovFree agency opens (5 days after the World Series) src
Dec 1, 11:59 p.m. ETCBA expires src
Mar 25, 2027Opening Day: Mets at Marlins (if there is no work stoppage) src

Decisions pending

Bo Bichette, INFPending

Player opt-out after 2026

His 3-year, $126M deal has opt-outs after 2026 and 2027. Insiders are split on whether he leaves. src

Roster needs

First base. One of the weaker 1B spots in MLB in 2026.
Top-of-rotation starter. McLean broke out (3.16 ERA, 194 K); Senga (0-9, 7.34 ERA) did not.
Second base / middle infield. Depends on Bichette; Semien is 36 and hit .215.
Bullpen. Minter, Brazoban, Raley, Weaver and Holmes were all moved at the deadline.
Right-handed-hitting OF. Balance behind Soto and the young outfielders.

2027 money on the books

$201.1M guaranteed

+$46.2M est. arbitration

Soto $47.5M, Lindor $34.1M, Semien $26M, Manaea $25M, Polanco $23M (incl. bonus), Senga $15M, Williams $13.8M. Assumes Bichette opts out (only his $5M buyout counted); add $42M if he stays.