MLB Offseason schedule and guide
Breakdown of key dates of MLB schedule following the conclusion of the World Series
The Red Sox have been waiting for the offseason to start for nearly two months. Now that time is getting closer as the World Series is inching closer to an end, get your calendar or your notepad on your phone out and take note of these key offseason dates for all of MLB and what to expect from the Red Sox:
November 2nd- This date is the only one that is strictly Red Sox related. This is is the day where the Craig Breslow era begins. His introductory press conference for becoming the new chief baseball officer will take place at Fenway park at 11 am. Red Sox attendance personnel in terms of ownership and front office is unknown at this time.
An area I will be watching for is how forthcoming Breslow is going to be with his offseason plans in terms of his priorities. Dave Dombrowski in one of his first press conferences, laid out exactly what he was looking to get where Chaim Bloom spoke more about sustainability. Given that Breslow knows what Boston fans and media are all about, I would expect him to handle the situation very well and be upfront as much as he possibly can.
First day after World Series ends- This could be anywhere from November 2nd-November 5th as the World Series is currently tied at a game apiece between the Rangers and the Diamondbacks. Teams will have five days after the World Series to exclusively negotiate with their own free agents and trades are also allowed.
The Red Sox have three free agents to negotiate with, outfielder Adam Duvall, starting pitcher James Paxton, and infielder Adalberto Mondesi. None of these players should be looked at as a priority before other teams can speak to them.
Duvall could slot back in by splitting time as a fourth outfielder and designated hitter depending how other offseason moves go, but he is likely looking to start somewhere else. Paxton looked strong coming off the injured list, but had a 6.98 ERA post all star break. Mondesi ended up on the injured list all year and never played for Boston.
Five days after World Series ends- This date will land between November 6th-9th. This will guarantee roster movement as not only free agency starts, but options on players contracts have to be decided. Also players who were on the 60-day injured list when the season ended have to be reinstated, which means room needs to be made for them on the 40 man.
Lastly, this is the date that teams can offer their free agents the qualifying offer, which is a one year deal that is projected to be around $20.5 million. It is highly unlikely the Red Sox would offer this to any of their three free agents.
For contract options the Red Sox have designated hitter Justin Turner with a $13.4 million player option, right hand pitcher Corey Kluber with an $11 million club option, and left hand reliever Joely Rodriguez with a $4.25 million club option. Kluber and Rodriguez can expect their options to be declined making them free agents. For Turner, his case is a bit different.
If it was up to the Red Sox, Turner would pick up his option, but after a career year at age 38 that is unlikely. Unfortunately, he is unable to be offered the qualifying off as well. Turner was second on the Red Sox with 96 RBIs and embraced the city of Boston maybe the quickest any veteran athlete has.
Given his age and how much he did like his time here, maybe there is a tiny chance he picks up his option, but look for Turner to hit the open market with an eye on possibly returning. He should be able to command a two year deal in free agency.
Pitcher Wyatt Mills, Kluber, Mondesi and outfielder Jarren Duran all ended the year on the 60-day IL. Outside of Duran, none of the other players are likely to be added to the 40 man. Kluber and Mondesi will be free agents. Mills despite him not even being arbitration eligible yet, missed all of this season and is a DFA candidate. Even if Boston decides to add Mills and Duran there will be room with the three free agents coming off the 40-man roster.
GM Meetings- For the most part the GM meetings is usually uneventful. However it will be the first time attending them for Breslow as the leader of a front office. The event takes place November 7th-November 9th in Scottsdale, Arizona. Typically, this time is where teams will lay the ground work for free agency and trades for the rest of the offseason. It will be interesting to hear other team leaders thoughts on Breslow as well.
QO Deadline and Rule 5- This is the final day, at 4 pm, for players to accept or decline their qualifying offer, if they get one. Declining would make them free agents and their former team would get draft pick compensation when they sign on with another team.
At 6 pm, teams must protect their minor leaguers who are Rule 5 eligible. Two names the Red Sox will definitely look to add are starters Shane Drohan and Wikelman Gonzalez. They will need to clear at least two 40-man roster spots for them.
Tender Deadline- This date is when teams must decided to tender or non-tender arbitration eligible players. Non-tendering them would mean that players is released from the roster and is added to the free agent pool. The Red Sox have outfielder Alex Verdugo, righty Nick Pivetta, infielder Luis Urias, catcher Reese McGuire, and right hand reliever John Schreiber.
The most likely candidate to be non-tendered is Urias as he never was able to find his way offensively after coming over at the trade deadline. McGuire could be on this list too, if the Red Sox are looking to upgrade their catcher situation. For salary projections, take a look at the always helpful MLBTR page.
Winter Meetings- The Winter Meetings this year is from December 3rd-6th in Nashville, Tennessee. Look for the free agency and trade market to be in full swing during this time. Front offices, agents, ownership, and sometime even free agents all get together in one central location and discuss contract negotiations and trades.
This is where Twitter/X, MLB Network, and other media outlets become must watch. On the final two days there is the MLB Draft lottery (1.1% chance Boston has for first overall pick) and then the Rule 5 draft. In the minor league phase of the draft last year, the Red Sox selected lefty Joe Jacques from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
January 12th, 2024- This is the final day for arbitration teams to avoid having to go to arbitration with their players that are eligible. It is always good to avoid arbitration as it is an awkward time where both parties have to have a hearing with a judge to decide their salary. The team has to reveal why they think the player should get paid less than what they think they should earn.
That is the guide to the 2023-24 MLB offseason. I would expect the Red Sox to be very active and aggressive in free agency and trades. For the Red Sox to get below the luxury tax and get a new front office leader, it would make no sense to just sit on their hands all winter.
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