Brewers win the World Series, free agency begins November 2nd
Photo credit: © Rhona Wise-Imagn Images
Oct 29, 2026, 06:00 EDTUpdated: Oct 28, 2026, 23:49 EDT
There’s a new World Series champion.
For the first time in franchise history, the Milwaukee Brewers have won the World Series. They defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 in Game 5 to hoist the trophy.
But now, the work begins for the Toronto Blue Jays. With the 2026 season wrapped up the 2025 American League pennant winners will need to make some transactions. So what’s on the docket for November?
Off-season primer
On Thursday, players on the final year of their deal officially become free agents. For the Blue Jays, their notable free agents are George Springer, Max Scherzer, and Shane Bieber. Thursday also marks the first day teams are allowed to make trades.
November 1st marks the beginning of when players from overseas are able to be posted. Teruaki Satō, Hiromi Itoh, and Kaima Taira are the three notable players likely to be posted this off-season.
The next important day is next Monday, specifically in the evening. Five days after the World Series, teams are allowed to sign free agents. With the looming lockout, expect a frenzy in November. Free agency officially begins at 5:00 PM ET.
Moreover, teams must accept or decline options in players contracts, and qualifying offers must be issued before the beginning of free agency.
From November 10th to the 12th, general managers will get together in the annual GM Meetings. With the lockout a strong likelihood, this may serve as a de facto Winter Meetings.
On November 17th at 4:00 PM ET, players must decide whether to accept or decline their qualifying offer, which is set to be worth $23.15 million this season. The only Blue Jay this applies to is Bieber, but due to spending most of the 2026 season injured, don’t expect him to get one.
Also on November 17th is the final day to add players to the 40-man roster to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft. Last time there was a lockout, there was no Rule 5 Draft, but expect the Jays to add pitchers like Gage Stanifer, Nolan Perry, and Daniel Guerra.
Lastly, the tender deadline is on November 20th. The Blue Jays have eight players eligible for arbitration: Ernie Clement, José Soriano, Josh Smith, Bowden Francis, Spencer Arrighetti, Louis Varland, Nathan Lukes, and Davis Schneider.
A minute before December 2nd, the league will almost certainly lockout. Teams can still sign and trade players up until December 1st at 11:59 PM ET. Afterwards, no transactions can be made. If by some miracle the league isn’t locked out, the Winter Meetings are set to take place sometime in early December. During this time, the draft lottery and Rule 5 Draft is set to take place.
After December 1st, it’s anyone’s best guess as to what happens.
Cynthia Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, DFOEdmonton, and DFOCalgary. She can be followed on Twitter @CynthiaRDelaney.
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