MLB Important Dates: 2024-2025

October 31: Free agency begins, players can only talk money with their 2024 team

November 4: Free agents can begin negotiating with other clubs

November 4: Deadline for teams to issue qualifying offers to pending free agents ($21.05 million)

November 4: Deadline for teams and players to execute contracted options

November 5-7: GM Meetings, San Antonio, TX

November 19: Deadline for a player to accept or reject a qualifying offer

November 19: Deadline for teams to add minor league players to the 40-man roster to protect from the Rule 5 Draft

November 19-21: Owners Meetings, New York, NY

November 22: Deadline to tender contracts to currently rostered arbitration-eligible players

December 8-11: Winter Meetings, Dallas, TX

December 10: 2025 draft lottery

December 11: Rule 5 Draft at the Winter Meetings

January 9: Deadline for teams and arbitration-eligible players to exchange salary figures

January 15: International free agent signing period begins

January 27-February 14: Arbitration hearings

Mid-February: Spring Training begins

February 22: First Grapefruit League game - Astros vs. Mets - Clover Park, Port St. Lucie, FL

March 13-15: Spring Breakout

March 19: Opening Day - Dodgers vs. Cubs - Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan

March 27: League-wide Opening Day: Mets vs. Astros - Minute Maid Park - Houston, TX

July 12: All-Star Game - Truist Park - Atlanta, GA

August 2: Speedway Classic: Braves vs. Reds - Bristol Mobile Speedway - Briston, TN

August 17: Little League Classic: Mets vs. Mariners - Williamsport, PA

September 28: Last day of regular season

September 30: MLB playoffs begin