Offseason Dates to Know
I saw this over on the Brewers blog and decided it was a cool thing to post because I usually forget most of these dates. Enjoy.
2008-2009 MLB Offseason Dates Worth Knowing
- Starting with the day after the conclusion of the regular season, players can be traded with no waiver rules in effect. It was originally September 29 this year, but with the extra games I suspect they pushed it back to October 1. I don't think it impacted anyone anyway. Trade announcements are probably encouraged to be postponed until after the World Series.
- October 15 was the first date when players with 3+ years of service time who were outrighted to the minors at any point during the season, accepted the assignment, and still haven't returned to a major league roster could declare free agency. Players who were outrighted for at least the second time in their career, accepted the assignment, and weren't placed on a major league roster again could do the same.
- The 1st day after the World Series is the first of a 15-day period during which eligible players (6+ years of service time, no contract for next year) can declare free agency.
- The 16th day after the World Series is the first day Major League free agents can negotiate and sign with a team other than their former team. It's also the first day MLB teams can sign minor league free agents.
- The General Managers meetings are held in Dana Point, California, from November 3-6.
- November 20 is the day teams have to file their reserve lists for all major league and minor league levels. I think that's the day you say who you want to protect in the Rule 5 draft, but I could be wrong.
- December 1 is the last day for teams with Type A or Type B free agents to offer arbitration to them, provided they haven't signed with another team yet. The player would have to accept within a week. If a Type A or B free agent signs with a team other than his former team before December 1, his former team gets draft picks regardless of whether or not they had offered arbitration to the player.
- December 4 is the last day to request outright waivers to assign guys prior to the Rule 5 draft and December 8 is the last day to outright players prior to the Rule 5 draft. The Rule 5 draft takes place on December 11.
- Not coincidentally, the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas take place from December 8-11.
- December 12 is the last day to tender contracts for 2009 to guys you want to keep around.
- Between January 2-12, teams must notify players eligible for arbitration that they wish to offer them arbitration. Players can agree to go to arbitration at any time between January 5-15.
- By January 18, the team offers and player offers for arbitration are shared between the MLBPA and the MLB Labor Relations Department.
- Arbitration hearings are held between February 1-20.
- Injured players, pitchers, and catchers may be invited to spring training no earlier than February 20 (45 days before the start of the regular season). All other players may be invited to attend no earlier than February 25 (40 days before the start of the regular season). No player is required to report to spring training more than 33 days before the start of the regular season, or March 4 next year, though inevitable "visa problems" can delay that for some guys.
- If a team and player tendered a contract haven't agreed on a salary for 2009, contracts can be renewed between March 2 and March 11. The maximum salary reduction rules mentioned above still apply.
- In order to only owe a player 30 days of termination pay, he must be unconditionally released on or before the 16th day prior to the start of regular season. For next year, that's March 22. Any player released after that date but during spring training gets 45 days termination pay.
This FanPost is reader-generated, and it does not necessarily reflect the views of McCovey Chronicles. If the author uses filler to achieve the minimum word requirement, a moderator may edit the FanPost for his or her own amusement.
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Very cool – thank you.
Also, I don’t post often but if one of mods does read this – can we get Baggarly’s name spelled correctly on the link to his blog on the bottom left of the home page. He is generous to the followers of this site and the brother deserves some love.
All the blame goes to Grant. He’s the only guy who has access to that part of the site. Let’s make fun of him while he’s gone!
THAT GRANT
HE’S SUCH A GRANT.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
WAIT
Is one of those an adjective?
The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."
Awesome. I'm going to spend waaaaaaaaaaaay to much time over analyzing this post
to try and figure out what’s in Brian Sabean’s noggin
Down in Front Meat!
be careful
he embarasses easily
STEVE HOLM! refuses to be the odd man out.
by UnleashTheGore on Oct 29, 2008 8:35 AM PDT up reply actions
Not coincidentally, the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas take place from December 8-11.
-CB30 10/28/2008 23:12
The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."
Brian Sabean has already set aside his hookers & blow fund
He’s going to need the relaxation….his wife just gave birth to their 5324th child…
Down in Front Meat!
by homerdrew415 on Oct 28, 2008 10:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Brian Sabean has already set aside his hookers & blow fund
Well at least we know that money in the budget will not be going to waste. In fact it might be great investment for the franchise as a whole.
Ivan Ochoa - Heir to the legacy of Rob Andrews & Rikkert Faneyte!
Let's see spread Chaos, Confusion and Anarchy here? Check. My work is complete. I’ll be moving on now.
that would certainly be a better investment than several of our financial institutiions, and it would kick start the economy. Perhaps as the last act of his adminstration, Geroge W. can set aside a hooker and blow fund for every American, giving our sagging middle class the boost it needs.
Well if Sabean is too busy partying he is not up to other , more long term, things. Like say 4 years and a player option for Crede. Just as an example
Ivan Ochoa - Heir to the legacy of Rob Andrews & Rikkert Faneyte!
Let's see spread Chaos, Confusion and Anarchy here? Check. My work is complete. I’ll be moving on now.
We had a hooker & blow fund
And then Wall Street took it for themselves…just like they always do…
Down in Front Meat!
by homerdrew415 on Oct 29, 2008 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions
good stuff
early frontrunner for 2009 McCoven Most Informed Poster: CB30.
xanthan, you’re lagging buddy
Adopted Giant: Aaron King
Wearing the crown by 2011. Or at least the LOOGY hat
Don’t worry. I’m working on a NEW MATT CAIN TRADE PROPOSAL* that will blow all of your minds!
*not really
#1 JUDY STEFFES FAN
My favorite pie is (name of pie flavor)
Bay City Ball
CAIN FOR LINCECUM
Trent Kline: Decentish. Also, my website is called ChatterBalks Dot Com. It's not being updated right now. Hope for more at your own risk.
Cain for hookers and blow!
They say some players get out of bed hitting; Pablo Sandoval doesn't wait that long
The date that I’m wondering about: what day in November do we find out whether Timmy has won the NL Cy Young Award?
No, my Crazy Crab bobblehead is not for sale.
11th.
The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."
lulz
Trent Kline: Decentish. Also, my website is called ChatterBalks Dot Com. It's not being updated right now. Hope for more at your own risk.

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