The dust is starting to settle on the 2025 season, and with the Yamamoto Series concluded, all players with six years of service time completed have reached free agency.
For the Rays that is a limited problem, with only Adrian Houser (and, technically, Coco Montes who was Designated for Assignment in July) departing the roster.
The conclusion of the World Series initiated a five day period where players can only sign with their former clubs, so the Rays do have an opportunity this week to try and retain
Houser. Last year the Royals retained Michael Wacha in this time frame, but it’s unlikely a deal gets done for any club.
Thursday, Nov. 6: Option Deadline
At the end of the quiet period (Thursday, Nov. 6 at 5 PM), clubs must make two important decisions: whether they will activate any club options for 2026, and whether they will extend a one-year qualifying offer to any of their free agents ($22.025 million — the Rays seem unlikely to be involved here). The deadline for players to accept is Nov. 18, last year only one of 12 players offered accepted.
Our focus will be on the following club options:
- 2B Brandon Lowe – $11.5 million
- RHP Pete Fairbanks – $11.0 million
For those thinking there should be more: The Rays also have a club option on a $2.45 million salary for Taylor Walls, but if they decline it, the player will remain under team control through salary arbitration. The Rays also have Yandy Diaz and Drew Rasmussen under contract for 2026, and both have club options the team will need to consider in 2027.
As for the two option players, Marc Topkin says to “Expect the Rays to pick up the options on both […], preserving the potential to get trade return later.”
If you’re reading the tea leaves, that comment — along with a note that the Rays will bolster the outfield through, “A trade […] with their usual profile to get a rising, unheralded player” seems to indicate that it’s business as usual for the Rays FO, despite new ownership.
Monday, Nov. 10 — Wednesday, Nov. 13: General managers meetings in Las Vegas
Preceding the Winter Meetings will be the annual GM meetings, which frequently lays the groundwork for future dealings.
Tuesday, Nov. 18 — Thursday, Nov. 20: Quarterly Owners meetings in New York City
Normally only notable for rules changes, this will be Patrick Zalupski’s first owners meeting since taking over the Tampa Bay Rays.
Tuesday, Nov. 18: Rule 5 Deadline
Eligible minor leaguers must be added to 40-man rosters by 6 PM EST on Nov. 18 or else teams will risk losing some minor league players in the Rule 5 Draft.
Players 19 or older drafted or signed no later than 2022 and players 18 or older drafted no later than 2021 are Rule 5 Draft eligible this year, as well as players signed internationally no later than 2021. Last year the Rays added two in the Rule 5 draft, trading one to the White Sox. The other retained player, LHP Nate Lavender, was injured all season. The Rays will need to retain him on the active roster for 2026.
Friday, Nov. 21: The MLB non-tender deadline
Teams must offer arbitration-eligible players a contract for 2026 by this 8 PM EST. Players who do not receive a contract offer are accordingly “non-tendered” and become free agents. Teams have until Jan. 8 to finalize contract offers for arbitration-eligible players. If players and teams cannot agree, arbitration hearings will be conducted in January or February, ahead of Spring Training.
Sunday, Dec. 7 — Thursday, Dec. 11: The Winter Meetings in Orlando
Here’s where the real wheeling and dealing gets done. The annual firestorm in the heart of winter, here’s where players and agents and front offices descend into a frenzy of attention and action. Deals are typically agreed to this week and can finalized right then, or the following week.
There are several important dates that occur within the Winter Meetings:
- Tuesday, Dec. 9: The MLB Draft lottery, where the 18 teams that did not make the postseason all have a shot at the No. 1 pick, though the worst teams have the highest odds. With the seventh worst record, the Rays have a 3.03% chance at the No. 1 pick.
- Wednesday, Dec. 10: The Rule 5 Draft, as mentioned above
January 15: 2026 International Free Agent signing period
The vast majority of international free agents are announced on this date, with negotiations and recruitment having happened throughout 2025.
February 11: Voluntary report date to Spring Training for pitchers and catchers.
February 15: Voluntary report date to Spring Training for other players.
February 20: Mandatory report date. Spring Training play begins.
March 5-17: 2026 World Baseball Classic.
March 25: Yankees @ Giants on Opening Night.
March 26: Opening Day for the other 28 teams.
