CLEVELAND, Ohio — Trades and transactions are already underway as Major League Baseball’s offseason kicks off following the Dodgers’ eighth World Series championship win on Wednesday.
Teams are getting their 40-man rosters ready for upcoming offseason deadlines and dates relative to free agency, qualifying offers and more. Teams can negotiate exclusively for the next five days with their own free agents, but players are prohibited from signing until next week.
As the offseason progresses into November, major awards for players and managers take center stage with the Baseball Writers’ Asscoiation of America choices for top rookie, manager, pitcher (Cy Young) and most valuable player among the highlights.
With free agency plodding along at a slow pace the last several years, expect a flurry of activity in late December or January as teams begin preparing for spring training.
MLB 2024-25 Key Offseason Dates
Oct. 31: Free agents can file, but they are not allowed to sign with other teams. Free agents do not count toward a team’s 40-man roster. Cleveland has four free agents, including Austin Hedges, Shane Bieber, Matthew Boyd and Alex Cobb. Trades are permitted of players on current 40-man rosters.
Nov. 3: Gold Glove Awards announced. The Guardians have four finalists at their respective positions, including José Ramírez, Andrés Giménez, Brayan Rocchio and Steven Kwan.
Nov. 4: Free agents permitted to sign with any team. Players with team or player contract options or opt-out clauses must decide by 4 p.m. Teams must also decide whether or not to issue qualifying offers to eligible players. Players on the 60-day injured list must be reinstated to the 40-man roster.
Nov. 5-7: General Managers meetings in San Antonio.
Nov. 11: BBWAA Award Finalists Announced
Nov. 12: Silver Slugger Awards announced. José Ramírez is a four-time winner, most recently in 2022.
Nov. 14: Hank Aaron Awards announced; Comeback Player of the Year announced; Trevor Hoffman and Mariano Rivera relievers of the year revealed. All-MLB First and Second teams announced.
Nov. 18: Rookie of the Year winners announced.
Nov. 19: Qualifying offer deadline for players to accept at 3 p.m.; Rule 5 protection date; Manager of the Year awards announced.
José Ramírez could find himself quite busy on the postseason awards circuit this year.Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Nov. 19-21: Owners Meetings in New York.
Nov. 20: Cy Young Awards announced.
Nov. 21: MVP awards announced.
Nov. 22: Non-tender deadline. Teams must decide whether or not to offer contracts to arbitration-eligible and pre-arbitration players on their 40-man rosters. James Karinchak, Sam Hentges and Triston McKenzie are potential non-tender candidates.
Dec. 8-12: Winter Meetings in Dallas.
Dec. 8: The Classic Baseball Era Committee meets to announce a possible selection; BBWAA Career Excellence Award announced. Cleveland.com’s Paul Hoynes is a finalist for the BBWAA honor.
Dec. 10: MLB Draft Lottery. The Rockies and Marlins each have a 22.45% chance to win the top pick.
Dec. 11: Ford Frick Award winner announced. Guardians broadcaster Tom Hamilton is a finalist this year.
Dec. 11: Rule 5 Draft.
Jan. 10: Salary arbitration figures exchange date. The Guardians have nine arbitration-eligible players including: Josh Naylor, Lane Thomas, James Karinchak, Triston McKenzie, Sam Hentges, Nick Sandlin, Eli Morgan, Steven Kwan and Ben Lively.
Jan. 15: International signing period opens.
Jan. 21: Hall of Fame voting results announced.
