With the MLB season nearing its conclusion, it’s time to look ahead to the hot stove. There’s a lot to keep track of in the first full offseason under the sport’s new collective bargaining agreement, so MLBTR has compiled a timeline of offseason events…
- Immediately after World Series – Eligible players hit free agency
- Three days after World Series – Option decisions due
- Five days after World Series – Qualifying offers due
- Six days after World Series – Free agents can sign contracts with teams other than their former clubs
- 12 days after World Series – Players must accept or reject qualifying offers
- November 7th – 9th - GM Meetings
- November 20th – Deadline for setting 40-man roster in advance of Rule 5 Draft
- November 30th – Deadline for teams to tender contracts to arbitration eligible players
- December 3rd – 6th – Winter Meetings
- December 6th – Rule 5 Draft takes place at Winter Meetings
- January - Teams, players exchange arbitration figures
- February - Arbitration hearings take place
We’ll update this list with specific dates once the World Series ends. Dates via MLB.com and the Kansas City Star.
Thanks Ben! Good post.
The 7 days that the players have to accept a qualifying offer is less time than previous years when accepting arbitration, correct?
The offseason is so exciting. Part of me wishes I was a GM.
Right? The winter meetings alone are mind blowing as fans can you imagine actually being a part of it? Even if its just a member of the front office that isn’t the GM, it must be exciting. Here’s for a good offseason for Boston and wishing Cherington & Co. the best! Go get a playoff team together with scrappy, hard nosed guys who can play and want to be out there every day!
Qualifying offers are going to hurt some of these guys. Would a team rather sign Edwin Jackson and keep their draft pick or Kyle Lohse and lose it.
Jackson.