This winter, however, will be different from most, with the looming expiration of MLB\u2019s collective bargaining agreement on Dec. 1. As the hot stove heats up and questions around an impending lockout swirl, we\u2019re keeping track of the latest Phillies<\/a> and MLB news and updates. <\/p>\n Here\u2019s everything you need to know:<\/p>\n Will there be a lockout, and if so, when?<\/p>\n If the league and the Players Association are unable to strike an agreement on a CBA by 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 1, it\u2019s expected that the owners will then authorize a lockout. The main sticking point in negotiations has been the owners\u2019 insistence on a salary cap, something the Players Association has long fiercely opposed. <\/p>\n It\u2019s unknown how long the standoff could last. When the previous CBA expired in 2022, the lockout lasted 99 days, which delayed Opening Day by a week but preserved all 162 regular season games. Those negotiations, however, weren\u2019t centered around a cap like the current ones are.<\/p>\n The owners\u2019 last major push for a hard salary cap came in 1994, which resulted in a 232-day strike by the players and the cancellation of that year\u2019s World Series. <\/p>\n Though Garrett Stubbs<\/a> is a free agent as of Nov. 2, he expects to stay as the Phillies\u2019 representative for the Players Association, and as a result, involved in the labor negotiations.<\/p>\n In a recent conversation on<\/a> Phillies Extra, The Inquirer\u2019s baseball podcast, he put it simply: \u201cI am not optimistic about when we\u2019re going to start, and it\u2019s super unfortunate.\u201d <\/p>\n Key dates for 2026-27 MLB offseason<\/p>\n Nov. 9-12: General managers meetings in Las Vegas<\/p>\n Nov. 17: Deadline to protect players from Rule 5 draft<\/p>\n Nov. 17-19: Owners meetings in New York<\/p>\n Dec. 1: CBA expires at 11:59 p.m.<\/p>\n Dec. 2: Potential lockout begins<\/p>\n Dec. 8: MLB draft lottery order determined*<\/p>\n Dec. 7-9: Winter meetings in San Diego*<\/p>\n Jan. 19: Hall of Fame player ballot announcement for Class of 2027<\/p>\n *Cancelled if there is a lockout.<\/p>\n During a lockout, all player movement is frozen. Players are also unable to communicate with their own teams, including their coaching staff, until a new CBA is reached.<\/p>\n That means the free agency period, which officially began on Monday, will be compressed this year. With a salary cap at the center of negotiations, it\u2019s possible many free agents and teams will want to sign deals quickly before a new CBA brings any potential changes \u2014 and limitations. Expect a busy November.<\/p>\n \u00bb READ MORE: A (likely long) lockout looms again for MLB. Why a salary cap is at the center of it all. Again.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI think one of the tricky questions for me is, I don\u2019t know what the rules are going to be next year,\u201d Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski<\/a> said at his end-of-season news conference. <\/p>\n The Phillies re-signed left-handed reliever Tim Mayza<\/a> to a one-year, $2.75 million deal on 0ct. 16, keeping the Allentown native with his hometown club. Mayza had a 3.48 ERA in 67\u2153 innings with the Phillies in 2026. <\/p>\n They made some changes to the coaching staff, bringing in Carlos Mendoza<\/a> as infield and third base coach, and hiring Peter Fatse as hitting coach<\/a>. Joe Cronin will join the staff as assistant hitting coach, while the Phillies retained Edwar Gonzalez in the same role. Mendoza is the former manager of the Mets, while Fatse and Cronin previously worked on Alex Cora\u2019s staff on the Red Sox.<\/p>\n The Phillies have eight departing free agents:<\/p>\n Second baseman Luis Arraez (.310 batting average; .765 OPS in 151 games in 2026)<\/p>\n First\/third baseman Alec Bohm<\/a> (.249 batting average; .698 OPS in 155 games)<\/p>\n Right fielder Adolis Garc\u00eda (.195 batting average, .599 OPS in 67 games)<\/p>\n Catcher Garrett Stubbs (.153 batting average, .368 OPS in 35 games)<\/p>\n Utility player Edmundo Sosa (.247 batting average, .712 OPS in 84 games)<\/p>\n Left-handed reliever Jos\u00e9 Alvarado<\/a> (5.86 ERA in 58\u2153 innings)<\/p>\n Left-handed reliever Brooks Raley (3.25 ERA in 52\u2154 innings)<\/p>\n Left-handed pitcher Nestor Cortes Jr. (Did not appear in the majors)<\/p>\n Many options could be on the table for the Phillies this winter, and there are a few major leaguers who might benefit from a change of scenery if they choose to go the trade route. <\/p>\n The Phillies signaled a lack of confidence in Orion Kerkering<\/a> with a September demotion to triple A after his extended struggles reached a fever pitch. The organization sent him down knowing the move would most likely preclude Kerkering, formerly viewed as one of their top high-leverage arms, from being on the wild-card roster. <\/p>\n \u00bb READ MORE: Will the Phillies spend to beef up the middle of the order? Here are some free-agent options.<\/a><\/p>\n If another team thinks a fresh start could benefit the 25-year-old right-hander, the Phillies might be able to get a decent return for a pitcher with a career 3.47 ERA. <\/p>\n Another change-of-scenery candidate could be Brandon Marsh<\/a>, who followed up an All-Star caliber first half with a brutal second half. He went from a .301 hitter before the break on July 10 to a .184 average in the second half and lost his everyday role. Marsh, who will be 29 next season, will be a free agent in 2028, so if the Phillies want to change their outfield mix and try to get at least something in return, now might be the time. <\/p>\n The current Phillies with no-trade clauses and\/or holding 10-and-5 rights who can\u2019t be moved without giving permission are Bryce Harper<\/a>, Trea Turner<\/a>, Kyle Schwarber<\/a>, Zack Wheeler<\/a>, Aaron Nola<\/a>, and J.T. Realmuto<\/a>. <\/p>\n What don\u2019t the Phillies need this offseason? Just like the past few winters, they will be shopping for an outfielder as Harper will move back to first base from his temporary stint in right field. <\/p>\n With Bohm and Arraez potentially departing, the Phillies also need some infield reinforcements. Top infield prospect Aidan Miller is back in action<\/a> after a back injury cost him most of the minor league season, but the Phillies need some other options until he is ready to take on an everyday major league role. <\/p>\n Phillies 2027 outlook<\/p>\n The Inquirer’s Lochlahn March takes a look at each of the Phillies’ position groups \u2014 who will be back, free-agent questions, prospects who could be in the mix and more.<\/p>\n Infield<\/a> | Outfield<\/a> | Catchers<\/a> | Starting pitchers | Bullpen<\/p>\n The bullpen needs help, as well. While they have a solid foundation with closer Jhoan Duran<\/a> and breakout right-handers Alex McFarlane and Jonathan Bowlan, they need dependable high-leverage left-handed options, too. Re-signing Mayza was just the first step. <\/p>\n The rotation is set, but the Phillies are in dire need of starting pitching depth. In the event of an injury or other issue with their top five starters, they do not have many options waiting in the wings. <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/https:\/\/d1dazej9q2gz23.cloudfront.net\/11-02-2026\/t_d71bab97afeb4ab2b01e2074c45c9b16_name_Copy_of_GDC.jpeg\"\/)
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Alec Bohm is a free agent for the first time in his career.Read more<\/a>Yong Kim \/ Staff Photographer<\/p>\n![\"Orion](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/F6RH6Z5QWVEWDM3IAXURX3U5VA.jpg\")
Orion Kerkering’s struggles last season landed him in triple A.Read more<\/a>Yong Kim \/ Staff Photographer<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/https:\/\/d1dazej9q2gz23.cloudfront.net\/10-11-2026\/t_2ec03f1ed08d426391761b19f6ea206b_name_PHILS__4_.p.jpeg\"\/)
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