The next labor showdown is already in full force, and the phrase “work stoppage” is already being thrown around.

Amid a free-agency market that seems to dwindle with each offseason and service-time exploitation that seems to grow each year — with the exact opposite labor situation playing out in the NBA — MLB players are ready to start fighting for change, and that could include a strike, if necessary.

“We are together on this,” Pirates All-Star Josh Bell told USA Today. “I know work stoppages in the past have worked to our benefit for the longevity of the game, the longevity of the player, and for the compensation of the player. Just for equal rights.

“We’ve met for years for preparation, and we’ll definitely see what happens in the future. Hopefully we can find common ground, but if not, we’re more than prepared. The one thing we’ve been taught, and we’ve heard it countless times, is to save your money the best you can because you never know what the future holds.”

In the past, players have been able to bank on free agency for their paydays, but that’s changed of late. Free agency has become a long waiting game that wades into the season. Premier names like Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel didn’t sign until well after this season started, a testament to their inability to find contracts they saw as fair despite their star status.

“There’s a thought that the association is weaker than its ever been because of all of the younger players, but I think a lot of young players are beginning to understand,” Red Sox DH J.D. Martinez told the paper. “We’re all united.”

Though the current CBA expires after the 2021 season, players reportedly want change now. MLBPA executive director Tony Clark has reportedly met with commissioner Rob Manfred and there are plans for another meeting this summer.

“How to solve some of our economic challenges is going to be paramount in our next negotiations with MLB,” Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer said, per USA Today. “The players are very cognizant (with) what’s going on with economic situations because it’s not just affecting the peripheral players, it’s affecting every player.

“And every player is aware (of) what’s going on. Every player is extremely much more educated than they ever were before. There’s much better leadership even among the players now and what we’re trying to do to make the correct changes within the game.”