With the conclusion of the 2023 World Series, the MLB offseason is officially underway for all 30 teams. For the Los Angeles Dodgers, it amounted to 12 players no longer being under contract, including Jason Heyward, Clayton Kershaw, J.D. Martinez and David Peralta.
The Dodgers — and all teams — have a five-day window to exclusively negotiate with their own free agents. Players and agents can contact other teams so long as contract terms are not discussed.
At the end of the five-day window, teams must decide on contract options and whether to extend the $20.5 million qualifying offer to eligible players.
For the Dodgers, Lance Lynn, Joe Kelly, Blake Treinen, Daniel Hudson and Alex Reyes are the players with an option. They held one on Max Muncy as well, but the Dodgers signed him to a two-year contract extension.
The team has not yet announced their decision, but Lynn’s $18 million option for 2024 is expected to be declined.
Among other important dates on the MLB offseason calendar are November 7-9 (General Managers meetings), November 14 (deadline for players to accept qualifying offer and teams to set their 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft) and December 3-6 (Winter Meetings).
Important MLB offseason dates
First day after World Series (Nov. 2): Free agency officially begins, but players are only allowed to negotiate with their previous team during a five-day “quiet period.” In addition, the trade market opens again
Sunday, November 5: Gold Glove Award winners announced on ESPN at 4:30 p.m. PT
Five days after World Series (Nov. 6): “Quiet period ends,” permitting free agents to sign with any team
Five days after World Series (Nov. 6): Deadline to issue qualifying offers (reportedly worth $20.5 million) to eligible free agents
Five days after World Series (Nov. 6): Most decisions on contract options due
Early November: BBWAA Awards finalists (MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year) announced on MLB Network
Tuesday-Thursday, November 7-9: General Managers meetings take place in Scottsdale, Arizona
Thursday, November 9: Silver Slugger Award winners announced on MLB Network, including new Team Award
Mid-November: BBWAA Awards winners revealed on MLB Network
Tuesday, November 14: 1 p.m. PT deadline for players to accept or reject the qualifying offer
Tuesday, November 14: 3 p.m. PT deadline for teams to set their 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft
Friday, November 17: Deadline to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players
Late November: The 2024 Hall of Fame ballot is released
Sunday, December 3: Hall of Fame Contemporary Baseball Era voting results are announced on MLB Network at 4:30 p.m. PT
Sunday-Wednesday, December 3-6: Annual Winter Meetings take place in Nashville, Tennessee
Tuesday, December 5: MLB Draft Lottery
Wednesday, December 6: Rule 5 Draft concludes Winter Meetings
Friday, January 12, 2024: Teams and players must exchange filing salary figures for arbitration
Monday, January 15: 2023-24 international signing period begins
Monday, January 23: 2024 National Baseball Hall of Fame Class announced
Early February: Arbitration hearings take place
Thursday, February 22: Dodgers’ first Spring Training game
Wednesday-Thursday, March 20-21: Seoul Series
Thursday, March 28: 2024 Opening Day
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