After the Los Angeles Dodgers repeated as World Series champions, the next morning marked the start of the MLB offseason for all 30 teams.
Free agency began on Sunday, which started a five-day window for clubs to exclusively negotiate with their own free agents. Players and agents can contact other teams so long as contract terms are not discussed.
For the Dodgers, that amounted to Michael Conforto, Andrew Heaney, Kiké Hernández, Michael Kopech, Miguel Rojas and Kirby Yates reaching the open market. Clayton Kershaw also is no longer under contract with the Dodgers but he is retiring after an 18-year career with the franchise.
At the end of the five-day window, teams must decide on contract options and whether to extend the $21.05 million qualifying offer to eligible players.
The Dodgers hold club options on Max Muncy ($10 million) and Alex Vesia ($3.55 million or $50,000 buyout) for the 2026 season.
Other important dates on the MLB offseason calendar are Nov. 10-13 (General Managers meetings), Nov. 18 (deadline for players to accept qualifying offer and teams to set their 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft) and Dec. 8-11 (Winter Meetings).
Important MLB offseason dates before 2026
Sunday, 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, Nov. 2
Gold Glove Award winners announced.
Thursday, Nov. 6-Friday, Nov. 7
Silver Slugger Award winners announced.
Friday, Nov. 7
“Quiet period ends,” permitting free agents to sign with any team, deadline to issue qualifying offers (worth $22.025 million) to eligible free agents, most decisions on contract options due.
Monday, Nov. 10-Thursday, Nov. 13
General Managers meetings take place in Las Vegas, Nev.
Monday, Nov. 10-Thursday, Nov. 13
BBWAA Awards winners revealed on MLB Network (Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year, Cy Young and MVP).
Tuesday, Nov. 18
Deadline for players to accept or reject the qualifying offer, deadline for teams to set their 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft.
Friday, Nov. 21
Deadline to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players.
Sunday, Dec. 7
Hall of Fame Contemporary Baseball Era voting results.
Monday, Dec. 8-Thursday, Dec. 11
Annual Winter Meetings take place in Orlando, Fla.
Tuesday, Dec. 9
MLB Draft Lottery takes place.
Wednesday, Dec. 10
Rule 5 Draft concludes Winter Meetings.
Monday, Dec. 15
End of 2025 international signing period.
Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026
Teams and players must exchange filing salary figures for arbitration.
Thursday, Jan. 15
The 2026 international signing period begins.
January 2026
The 2026 National Baseball Hall of Fame Class announced.
Late January-early February
Arbitration hearings take place for players who have not reached agreements on contracts with their teams.
Saturday, Feb. 21
Dodgers begin 2026 Spring Training schedule against Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
Thursday, March 26
Opening Day for Dodgers with matchup against Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium.
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