MLB 2027 Offseason Guide: Important Dates, Schedule, & Calendar

This guide provides an overview of the 2026–2027 Major League Baseball offseason, from the final out of the World Series through the start of the next regular season. It covers free agency, contract options, roster deadlines, the Winter Meetings, awards, and the return of baseball in the spring.

Across MLB, the offseason gives every organization a chance to assess its roster and determine what comes next. Contenders will look for the pieces that can carry them deeper into October, while other clubs will focus on developing young players, improving depth, and building toward sustained success.

This guide will be updated as the offseason progresses, and anything you see in [brackets] means the date has not been announced, likely due to the pending lockout that starts in early December.

2026–2027 Offseason Dates & Calendar

TBA means an exact date remains to be confirmed in this guide. Expected timing describes the usual calendar rather than a confirmed 2026–2027 deadline. Dates after December 1 may be affected by labor negotiations.

• Day after the World Series: Eligible players become free agents; offseason trades resume under the existing agreement.
• Five days after the World Series: Exclusive negotiating window ends; qualifying offers are due under the existing agreement. Check individual contracts for option deadlines.
• Early November 2026 (expected; exact dates TBA): General Manager Meetings.
• November 11, 2026: MLB Awards.
• November 2026 (TBA): BBWAA award announcements.
• November 2026 (TBA): Qualifying offer acceptance deadline and Rule 5 roster protection deadline.
• November 2026 (TBA): Non-tender deadline.
• December 1, 2026, 11:59 p.m.: Current MLB collective bargaining agreement expires.
• December 2026 (expected; dates and location TBA): Winter Meetings, 2027 MLB Draft Lottery, and Rule 5 Draft.
• Offseason 2026–2027 (TBA): Competitive Balance Draft selections announced.
• January 2027 (expected; date TBA): BBWAA Hall of Fame voting results.
• January 2027 (TBA): Salary arbitration figure exchange deadline.
• January 15, 2027 (expected under existing system): International signing period opens; confirm under the applicable agreement.
• Winter 2026–2027 (club-specific): Fan festivals, caravans, and other team events.
• Late January–February 2027 (expected): Salary arbitration hearings.
• February 2027 (club-specific; report dates TBA): Pitchers, catchers, and position players report to Spring Training.
• February 19, 2027: Listed start of Spring Training games; check individual club schedules.
• March 2027 (TBA): Spring Breakout.
• March 24, 2027: Scheduled Opening Night; matchup TBA.
• March 25, 2027: Scheduled traditional Opening Day.

World Series and the Start of the Offseason

The World Series closes the 2026 season and starts the countdown to the first major roster decisions of the winter. Its actual end date determines the deadlines tied to the conclusion of the Series. A shorter Series moves those deadlines earlier; a seven-game Series pushes them later.

Free Agency and the First Five Days

Under the existing agreement, eligible players become free agents the day after the World Series ends. Their former club has an initial five-day exclusive negotiating period before other clubs can negotiate with them. The trade market also reopens after the World Series.

Free agency can reshape the league throughout the winter. Clubs must weigh their needs against payroll space, available talent, and opportunities to improve through trades or internal promotions.

Notable pending free agents:

• LHP Tarik Skubal – Los Angeles Dodgers
• RHP Michael King (if he opts out): San Diego Padres
• OF Randy Arozarena – Seattle Mariners
• 2B Jazz Chisholm Jr. – New York Yankees
• OF Seiya Suzuki – Chicago Cubs

Club, Player, and Mutual Options

A club option lets a team decide whether to retain a player at a specified salary. A player option gives that decision to the player. A mutual option requires both sides to agree. Some contracts also include opt-outs or vesting provisions tied to specific conditions.

Option dates and buyouts are governed by individual contracts. Keep those details separate from the league’s free-agency deadlines, and update the list when decisions become official.

• Ronald Acuña Jr. / Atlanta Braves: Club option for 2027 at $17 million, with a $10 million buyout.
• Ozzie Albies / Atlanta Braves: Club option for 2027 at $7 million, with no buyout. Decision due
• Sandy Alcantara / Miami Marlins: Club option for 2027 at $21 million, with a $2 million buyout.
• Luis Robert Jr. / Baltimore Orioles: Club option for 2027 at $20 million, with a $2 million buyout.
• Kenley Jansen / Detroit Tigers: Club option for 2027 at $12 million, with a $2 million buyout.

Qualifying Offers

Qualifying offers connect eligible free agents to potential draft compensation. The salary is based on MLB’s 125 highest-paid players.

2026–2027 qualifying offer amount: 23.15 million, according to the New York Post. Offer deadline: [DATE]. Acceptance deadline: [DATE].

• RHP David Bednar — New York Yankees
• OF Randy Arozarena — Seattle Mariners.
• LHP Trevor Rogers — Baltimore Orioles
• RHP Brady Singer — Cincinnati Reds
• C Ryan Jeffers — Minnesota Twins

General Manager Meetings

The General Manager Meetings bring baseball operations leaders together to discuss league business and begin conversations that can lead to winter transactions. They often provide an early look at which clubs are pursuing upgrades and which may be open to dealing players. This also might be a bed for high free agent and trade activity this season due to the lockout.

2026 dates and location: [CONFIRMED DATES / CITY].

Rule 5 Protection and Draft

Clubs use 40-man roster additions to protect eligible prospects. Major League Rule 5 selections carry roster retention requirements.

These decisions balance long-term upside against immediate roster space. A club may need to make another roster move before protecting a prospect, while teams with open spots can explore available players from other organizations.

Protection deadline: [DATE]. Draft date: [DATE]. (These will be impacted by the lockout)

Players expected to be protected in the Rule 5 Draft:

• INF Demetrio Crisantes — Arizona Diamondbacks
• LHP Jackson Ferris — Los Angeles Dodgers
• Jaxon Wiggins — Chicago Cubs
• RHP Jack Wenninger — New York Mets
• SS Bryan Rincon — Philadelphia Phillies

MLB and BBWAA Awards

The awards calendar recognizes the season’s strongest performances and gives fans another chance to revisit the year’s memorable players and teams. The MLB Awards and the BBWAA announcements are separate events, so their dates should be tracked separately.

BBWAA honors include Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year, Cy Young, and Most Valuable Player in each league. Other honors recognize offense, defense, relief pitching, and comeback seasons.

Award schedule and coverage: [AWARD / ANNOUNCEMENT DATE / FINALISTS / WINNER / LINK].

Non-Tender Deadline and Salary Arbitration

Non-tendered players become free agents. Arbitration determines salaries for eligible players who remain under team control.

For clubs, the winter is an opportunity to decide which players fit their plans at the expected cost. Tendering a contract and agreeing on a salary are separate steps; negotiations can continue after the tender deadline.

Non-tender deadline: [DATE]. Salary figure exchange deadline: [DATE]. Hearing schedule: [DATES]. Label estimates clearly and replace them with agreed or awarded salaries when available.

Competitive Balance Draft Picks

Competitive Balance selections provide additional draft opportunities for eligible clubs. Their placement and associated spending allocations matter when teams assess how much amateur talent they can add.

2027 recipients and selection order: [CONFIRMED ROUND A / ROUND B LIST]. Add any trades and associated draft bonus allocations once official. Avoid carrying forward the prior year’s selection numbers or international pool figures.

Winter Meetings

The Winter Meetings are a central gathering point for clubs, agents, and the baseball media. Trade discussions, free-agent negotiations, and roster planning can produce major news, although deals also happen before and after the event.

This offseason, the Winter Meetings will very likely not be taking place due to the lockout.

2027 MLB Draft Lottery

The lottery helps establish the top of the following summer’s draft. A club’s postseason status, record, and eligibility rules affect its place in the process. The final draft order also reflects compensation and other adjustments.

The lottery, which takes place during the Winter Meetings, will likely be postponed until the lockout ends.

Collective Bargaining and the Winter Calendar

The current Major League agreement expires December 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. The expected work stoppage will make a significant impact on this calendar, and on how operations are performed this offseason in general

Labor updates:

• MLB Owners Propose Major Changes to Regular Season & Postseason Format
• Here's Why MLB Owners Will Avoid A Lengthy 2027 Lockout

BBWAA Hall of Fame Announcement

January brings the announcement of the BBWAA’s Hall of Fame election results. The ballot combines returning candidates with newly eligible players, creating another major baseball storyline during the winter.

2027 announcement date: [CONFIRMED DATE].

First-year candidates:

• Buster Posey
• Jon Lester
• Jake Arrieta
• Brett Gardner
• Kyle Seager
• Ryan Zimmerman
• Jay Bruce
• Andrew Miller
• Wade Davis
• Jordan Zimmermann

Returning candidates:

• Bobby Abreu
• Mark Buehrle
• Cole Hamels
• Félix Hernández
• Torii Hunter
• Dustin Pedroia
• Andy Pettitte
• Alex Rodriguez
• Francisco Rodríguez
• Jimmy Rollins
• Chase Utley
• Omar Vizquel — final year of eligibility
• David Wright

Election results: [NAMES / VOTE PERCENTAGES].

2027 International Signing Period

The international signing period gives organizations another route to add amateur talent. Teams evaluate young players around the world and develop them through their farm systems, with outcomes often taking years to become clear.

Expected opening: January 15, 2027, subject to confirmation under the applicable agreement. Bonus pools: [OFFICIAL TEAM ALLOCATIONS].

Spring Training and Opening Day 2027

Spring Training brings clubs back together in Arizona and Florida as they prepare for the regular season. Roster competitions, injury recoveries, and the progress of young players will help determine how teams look when the season begins.

Reporting dates are compromised due to the lockout. Reporting dates to Spring Training are yet to be announced, but if the labor issues are resolved, normally pitchers and catchers report shortly after the Super Bowl.

Opening Night and Opening Day are listed in the calendar above. Add [MATCHUPS / FIRST-PITCH TIMES / BROADCAST DETAILS] when confirmed, and update any schedule changes.

Thank you for reading. We’ll continue updating this guide as dates are confirmed and the offseason takes shape. There is plenty to follow before baseball returns, from roster decisions and new signings to the next generation of prospects. Here’s to a great 2027 season ahead!