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Blue Jays: Important dates this off-season
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Photo credit: © Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Nov 4, 2025, 11:00 ESTUpdated: Nov 4, 2025, 04:48 EST
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The 2025-26 off-season has begun.
With the conclusion of the 2025 World Series, the off-season is right around the corner, although not much will happen in November. Beginning on November 6, free agents are eligible to sign with new teams, but don’t expect that to happen until next month. November 6 also marks the day teams must decide whether to extend a qualifying offer to free agents.
Also on November 6, clauses in the contracts must be decided, and the National League Silver Sluggers will be announced, with the American League Silver Sluggers being announced the following day.
The first major event is from November 10 to 13, as the annual general manager meetings take place. This isn’t to be confused with the Winter Meetings, which happen in December. On November 11, the Manager of the Year will be announced; hopefully, it’ll be Toronto Blue Jays’ manager John Schneider.
On November 18, players have to decide whether or not to accept the qualifying offer. The only Blue Jay likely to get a qualifying offer is Bo Bichette, and he’ll surely decline it. On the same day, it’s the Rule 5 protection deadline. Players eligible for the Rule 5 draft not on the 40-man roster can be selected in the draft in December.
The last notable thing in November is the non-tender deadline on November 21. Two and a half weeks later, the annual Winter Meetings will take place. Expect most transactions to happen during the four days from December 7 to 10.
On December 9, the draft lottery will happen, which doesn’t impact the Blue Jays whatsoever. What will affect the Blue Jays is the Rule 5 draft the following day, as a handful of notable players like Ricky Tiedemann and Yohendrick Piñango are eligible for the draft.
Moving ahead to the new year, January 8 is when teams and players file arbitration figures. A week later, on January 15, the 2026 International Free Agency will begin. January 21 will see the 2026 Hall of Fame class announced, and at some point in early February, arbitration hearings will happen.
Just like that, the off-season will come to an end, as February 20 is the mandatory report date for all players, marking the beginning of Spring Training. Moreover, the World Baseball Classic runs from March 5 to 17. Opening Day is on March 26.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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