“Moronic to Not Have a Season Next Year”: Phillies 33YO Star Makes Feelings Clear Over MLB’s Impending Lockout
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The Philadelphia Phillies’ 33‑year‑old backup catcher Garrett Stubbs has made it clear that he believes a full‑season lockout in 2027 would be “moronic.” In a recent interview quoted by *EssentiallySports*, Stubbs said that a year‑long shutdown would be a mistake and that missing a substantial number of games would be a real possibility if Major League Baseball refuses to reconsider its proposed salary‑cap structure.
Stubbs explained that the MLB’s hard cap of $245.3 million is a point of contention. While team owners argue the cap is necessary for competitive balance and cost certainty, the MLB Players Association contends that it suppresses player salaries and market freedom. He added that the league’s proposed $171.2 million spending floor would force lower‑spending teams to invest more heavily in their rosters, but the union believes the floor does not offset the earnings lost because of the cap.
According to Stubbs, the outcome of the negotiations will hinge on Commissioner Rob Manfred and his team’s decisions by early December. He said, “We’ll see where Manfred and his team decide to land come December 2nd and on. But yeah, I see some games getting missed this year because of where they stand on this salary‑cap idea.” Stubbs remains hopeful that a full lockout can be avoided, but he warns that the league must act to prevent a significant loss of games and fan engagement.
The conversation comes after teammate Bryce Harper publicly hinted at a potential year‑long lockout in 2027. Stubbs’ remarks underscore the growing uncertainty among players about the future of the MLB season and the importance of resolving the salary‑cap dispute before it escalates into a prolonged labor crisis.
