Mark Your Calendars: Key 2024 MLB Off-season Dates
With the Los Angeles Dodgers winning the 2024 World Series, the MLB offseason officially got underway for all 30 teams.
Free agency began on Thursday, 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 Walker Buehler, Jack Flaherty, Kiké Hernández, Teoscar Hernández, Daniel Hudson, Joe Kelly, Kevin Kiermaier and Blake Treinen reaching the open market.
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 have reportedly decided to exercise 2025 club options for Austin Barnes and Miguel Rojas. Clayton Kershaw hasn’t decided on his player option, but he already revealed that he will be back in L.A. next season.
Other important dates on the MLB offseason calendar are Nov. 7-9 (General Managers meetings), Nov. 14 (deadline for players to accept qualifying offer and teams to set their 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft) and Dec. 3-6 (Winter Meetings).
Important MLB offseason dates
Friday, Oct. 31
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. 3
Gold Glove Award winners announced on ESPN at 5:30 p.m. PT.
Monday, Nov. 4
“Quiet period ends,” permitting free agents to sign with any team; deadline to issue qualifying offers (worth $21.05 million) to eligible free agents; most decisions on contract options due.
Tuesday, Nov. 5-Thursday, Nov. 7
General Managers meetings take place in San Antonio, Texas.
Tuesday, Nov. 12
Silver Slugger Award winners announced on MLB Network at 3 p.m. PT.
Monday, Nov. 18-Thursday, Nov. 21
BBWAA Awards winners revealed on MLB Network (Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year, Cy Young and MVP).
Tuesday, Nov. 19
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. 22
Deadline to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players.
Sunday, Dec. 8
Hall of Fame Contemporary Baseball Era voting results are announced on MLB Network at 4:30 p.m. PT.
Sunday, Dec. 8-Thursday, Dec. 12
Annual Winter Meetings take place in Dallas, Texas.
Tuesday, Dec. 10
MLB Draft Lottery takes place.
Wednesday, Dec. 11
Rule 5 Draft concludes Winter Meetings.
Friday, Jan. 10, 2025
Teams and players must exchange filing salary figures for arbitration.
Wednesday, Jan. 15
2025 international signing period begins.
Tuesday, Jan. 21
2025 National Baseball Hall of Fame Class announced on MLB Network at 3 p.m. PT.
Monday, Jan. 27-Friday, Feb. 14
Arbitration hearings take place for players who have not reached agreements on contracts with their teams.
Thursday, Feb. 20
Dodgers begin 2025 Spring Training schedule against Chicago Cubs at 12:05 p.m. PT
Tuesday, March 18
Dodgers begin 2025 regular season against Cubs with start of Tokyo Series.
Thursday, March 27
Domestic Opening Day for Dodgers with matchup against Detroit Tigers at Dodger Stadium.
