Today – Eligible players become free agents
Just last night, Jordan Montgomery won a World Series with the Rangers. However, today he is no longer playing for them. Players with expiring contracts become free agents the day after the World Series ends, although this may not be as significant as it seems. Teams have a five-day window to negotiate exclusively with their own free agents, but very few deals are typically signed during this time. True open-market free agency begins in five days, but trades are immediately back on the table.
Next five days – Defining the market
The five days between the World Series and the start of open-market free agency are crucial for settling uncertainties about player availability. Teams and players have five days to decide on contractual options. Players like Cody Bellinger, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Joey Votto are expected to decline their options, while others like Josh Bell, Tim Anderson, and Kyle Hendricks have less clear situations. Additionally, qualifying offers will be extended, teams need to remove players from the injured list to make room on the roster, and Gold Glove Awards will be announced.
November 7-9 – General Manager Meetings in Scottsdale, Ariz.
These meetings are an opportunity for heads of baseball operations to discuss the offseason ahead and share hints about their plans. Rumors about potential rule adjustments and other behind-the-scenes issues are also discussed.
November 9 – Silver Slugger Awards announced
The winners of the Silver Slugger Awards, which recognize the best offensive players at each position, will be announced on MLB Network.
November 13-16 – BBWAA Awards week
The Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) awards will be announced one night at a time on MLB Network. This includes the Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year, Cy Young Award, and MVP. The winners are decided by a vote of baseball writers from across the country.
November 14 – Rule 5 protection deadline
Minor league players with four or five years of experience must be added to the 40-man roster or become available to other teams in the Rule 5 draft. Some notable players have been lost in previous Rule 5 drafts, so this deadline is significant.
November 17 – Non-tender deadline
Teams must decide by mid-November who to offer contracts to and who to non-tender. Non-tendering a player means not offering them a contract for the next season, typically due to their expected salary exceeding their value to the team.
So, while we can’t say for certain what your favorite team will do this offseason, at least now you know the schedule and key events to look out for. It’s an exciting time for baseball fans as we wait to see how the offseason unfolds!
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David Rodriguez brings the excitement of Major League Baseball to readers. With a deep appreciation for America’s pastime, he covers the latest MLB news, scores, and player achievements, keeping fans up to date with their favorite teams and players.