MLB Off-Season Important Dates

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - OCTOBER 28: The Milwaukee Brewers celebrate after winning Game Five of the 2026 World Series presented by Capital One between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Wednesday, October 28, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Brewers defeated the Rays

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With

the Brewers win of the World Series (last night), the off-season starts this morning.

This morning, at 9:00 Eastern. Free Agents are allowed to file. We went over the list of Jays potential free agents a couple of days ago.
November 1st: Gold Glove winners are announced. There are a few Jays nominated. I’m expecting one or two of them to win.
November 2nd: The “Contemporary Baseball Era Hall of Fame ballot is announced Eastern (all times listed will Eastern). As well, Silver Slugger Award ‘finalists’ are announced (at 2:00 pm Eastern time). From 6 to 8:00 pm we will have the Rookie of the Year, Cy Young and MVP).
Five days after the World Series ends (four days from now) free agency opens (5:00 pm). Also it is the last day to issue Qualifying Offers. Also 60-day Injured List ‘reinstatement’ happens and contract options must be decided on.
November 6th: The ‘Heart & Hustle’ and Gold Glove winners are announced.
November 9th: Rookie of the Year is announced.
November 9 to 12th: GM Meetings happen (in Las Vegas).
November 10th: Manager of the Year is announced.
November 11th: Cy Young and BBWAA Relievers of the Year are announced. And a bunch of other awards: All-Star Teams (first and second), Hank Aaron Award, Comeback Player of the Year, Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman relievers of the year and Edgar Martinez DH of the year are all announced.
November 12th: MVP awards announce (7 to 8:00 pm).
November 16th: Hall of Fame Ballot is announced.
November 17-19th: Owners meetings.
November 17th: Silver Sluggers Announced. Also Deadline for players to accept their Qualifying offers is at 4:00 pm. And the Rule 5 protection deadline (players need to be added to the 40-man rosters to be protected from the Rule 5 draft.
November 20th: Non-tender Deadline.
December 1st: The CBA Expires at mid-night (well, 11:59 pm) and the Lockout will begin.
December 6th: The Contemporary Baseball Era inductees are announced.
December 7 to 9th: Winter Meeting happen (unless the lockout is still on) (it will be still on).
December 8th: Draft Lottery (but it will be postponed because of the lockout).
January 8th: Arbitration numbers are exchanged (but, well you know).
January 15th: International Signing Period starts.
January 19th: Hall of Fame voting is announced, with the 2027 inductees announced.