Oct 8, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (3) looks on during warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game three of the NLDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images KIYOSHI MIO
Bryce Harper had strong thoughts when asked on SportsRadio 94 WIP about the uncertain labor future of Major League Baseball.
It appears all-but certain that owners will lock the players out when the current collective bargaining agreement expires on Dec. 1 at 11:59 ET, just as they did four years ago. There seems to be more of a feeling that games could be lost this time around.
Harper was asked Monday by Joe DeCamara whether he believes Opening Day will take place on time in 2027.
"No," Harper responded.
To be fair, Opening Day didn't take place on time in 2022. Commissioner Rob Manfred actually announced the cancellation of some early games on the 2022 slate during last lockout, but those games were eventually added onto the end of the schedule, with Opening Day taking place on April 8 after a new CBA agreement was reached on March 10.
Like in 2022, Harper does believe games will be played in 2027.
"Uhh, yes," Harper said.
Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean there will be 162 games. If there are less than 162 games in 2027, it would be the second time this era where there wasn't a full regular-season slate, with the 2020 season being shortened to just 60 games because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Harper, though, explained why he thinks both sides have too much to lose to miss an entire season.
"I think for me personally, we want what is best for the game," Harper continued. "Me, personally, I want what's best for the game for owners and players as well. And, our game is at the peak of where we're at right now, with so much talent. It's an international game right now, obviously with the players we have. I don't think we wanna lose that. I don't think owners wanna lose that.
"But we're at such a standstill right now with where we are, that it's gonna be tough to figure things out in a three-month span. If you can't figure it out in a three-year span, how are you gonna figure it out in a three-month span? So, I hope we figure it out. I don't want it to go slowly. I don't want it to be bad on both sides or anything else like that. But these guys are attorneys for a reason. And they've gone through all this stuff ... I mean [commissioner Rob] Manfred has gone through it. [MLBPA interim executive director] Bruce Meyer has gone through it. It's a tough situation for both sides. Manfred's gonna do what's best for the owners. But also, I think he wants to do what's right to the players as well, to a certain extent. And I think, obviously, Bruce Meyer is pro-player. I think both sides just really need to calm it down, hash it out and get this thing done."
Bryce Harper: “I love what the Dodgers do, obviously.”
(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/t7SNXrdFAC
Harper has emerged as a potential labor leader during ahead of the next CBA negotiation. It remains unclear how public-facing of a role the Scott Boras client will have in negotiations, but according to ESPN's Jeff Passan, Harper "stood nose to nose with Manfred during a meeting between the Major League Baseball commissioner and the team last July, telling him to 'get the fuck out of our clubhouse' if Manfred wanted to talk about the potential implementation of a salary cap." Harper was very complimentary of how the two-time defending World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers run their organization when he met with those who cover the team after arriving at Spring Training earlier this month. He also explained in an appearance on "Bussin' With The Boys" why he doesn't believe MLB needs a salary cap.
Tuesday, DeCamara asked Harper if players are prepared to sit out the entire 2027 season if owners insistent on implementing a salary cap.
"I think you should ask owners about that too," Harper replied.
DeCamara replied that he would ask an owner that same question, but doubled down on his original ask of whether players would sit out a year over accepting a salary cap.
"I mean, I don't wanna do it for the young guys if I'm not gonna do it the right way," Harper said. "I think the stepping stone into what guys did to me to get me to where I am, I owe that to the young guys in our game as well. So for the next 20 years, 30 years of this game, I owe it to them now for Aidan Miller and Justin Crawford and just the guys that are gonna be in this game for the next 20 years. I owe that to them now."
