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Phillies’ most important player in contentious MLB lockout talks isn’t even on the roster

The Philadelphia Phillies may have parted with backup catcher Garrett Stubbs, but his status as the club's player representative still makes him one of the most important people in the organization.

By Ethan Williams · That Balls Outta Here

Published: Friday, 6 November 2026 at 3:10 PM

Key Things to Know

Garrett Stubbs remains the Phillies' union representative despite being designated for assignment and leaving the roster.
Player representatives each cast a vote on collective bargaining proposals during contentious MLB labor negotiations.
Stubbs criticized MLB deputy commissioner Dan Halem's proposals, calling the league's push for a salary cap a charade.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Garrett Stubbs remains the Philadelphia Phillies' designated player representative for upcoming MLB labor negotiations despite recently being designated for assignment. As Major League Baseball faces a potential lockout over collective bargaining discussions, Stubbs retains the power to vote on behalf of the team regarding future agreement proposals.

Ethan Williams argues that Stubbs is Philadelphia's most vital figure in the talks despite currently lacking a major-league contract. Stubbs voiced strong frustration with MLB's insistence on a salary cap, calling league proposals a waste of time as contentious negotiations continue.

Read the full article on That Balls Outta Here

Phillies’ most important player in contentious MLB lockout talks isn’t even on the roster

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