The next few weeks could prove decisive for Major League Baseball's biggest free agents, with Scott Boras warning that teams waiting for clarity on a new labor agreement may discover that the rules have changed before they can complete their deals.

Baseball's current collective bargaining agreement expires on December 1, 2026, and the growing expectation of an offseason lockout has introduced uncertainty into negotiations involving some of the sport's most valuable players.

Boras, who represents star left-hander Tarik Skubal, believes clubs should recognize an opportunity rather than allow concerns over the impending labor dispute to stall negotiations.

His argument is straightforward: teams currently possess negotiating flexibility that could disappear if owners successfully introduce restrictions on spending and contract structures.

Speaking to The Athletic, Boras urged organizations to consider how their financial options could change under a new collective bargaining agreement.

"For many teams, I can make an argument it's clearly best for them to sign players currently, before the (new) CBA, than it is after," Boras said.

"Because they have more freedom to do what they're going to do. They can react later. Now they can get the talent. They can get what they want."

The warning comes amid discussions about a potential salary cap, with one ownership proposal reportedly including a $245.3 million payroll ceiling.

Other proposals have explored limiting the length and value of contracts offered to free agents, although none of those restrictions has been agreed upon.

Boras believes that uncertainty strengthens the case for completing deals before negotiations potentially produce a different financial framework.

"In a talent-run world, there are no rules until there are rules," he said.

Skubal could become biggest test of Boras' strategy

Few players illustrate the stakes more clearly than Skubal, whose 2026 campaign strengthened his position among baseball's most sought-after pitchers.

The left-hander recorded a 12-7 record and 2.72 ERA across 158.2 innings with the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers, striking out 186 batters.

One executive has reportedly suggested a potential 10-year, $400 million agreement, highlighting the considerable sums involved in negotiations for elite pitching talent.

The approaching deadline could encourage teams to accelerate discussions, particularly with players willing to reach agreements before a possible transaction freeze.

"I think there's going to be more urgency," one anonymous executive told The Athletic.

Another predicted that players outside the most expensive tier could move particularly quickly. "The middle tier could move fast," the executive said.

Lockout strategy creates further uncertainty

While Boras sees an opportunity for teams to secure talent, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has previously described an offseason lockout as a bargaining tool.

"There is leverage associated with an offseason lockout, and the process of collective bargaining under the NLRA (National Labor Relations Act) works based on leverage," Manfred said.

If owners impose a lockout, major-league signings and trades would be suspended until a new agreement is reached.

The previous work stoppage lasted 99 days, beginning in December 2021 before ending in March 2022 without canceling regular-season games.

That precedent underscores the uncertainty facing clubs and players as the deadline approaches.

Whether Boras' warning accelerates negotiations remains unclear, but the decision facing MLB teams is becoming increasingly significant: secure expensive talent under the existing rules or risk waiting through a potentially prolonged labor dispute.