An offseason full of unknowns is just around the corner for the Detroit Tigers.
The day after the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros wrap up the 2022 World Series, teams will start diving into the offseason.
New Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris has offered a few hints about his strategy heading into 2023, but he has said the team won’t be risk-averse, suggesting he might be more open to trades than his predecessor.
Harris’ first chance for deal-making will come with next week’s General Manager Meetings in Las Vegas.
Unlike last year, there is no impending labor stoppage looming. The Dec. 1 lockout date made last November busier than usual. There will be such an artificial deadline this offseason.
Here’s the complete offseason calendar, which will be updated as dates are finalized.
First day after World Series (Friday, Sunday or Monday): Eligible players become free agents at 9 am
Nov. 7: The Hall of Fame will release its candidates for the Contemporary Baseball Era, which consists of players who made their biggest impact from 1980 to the present. A 16-member committee will consider the candidates, which could include Lou Whitaker.
Nov. 7: The Baseball Writers Association of America releases the top three finalists for all of its awards at 6 pm
Nov. 7-10: The annual GM Meetings will be held in Las Vegas. It will be the first for new Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris.
Fifth day after World Series (Nov. 8, 10 or 11): Free agents may sign with any club beginning at 5 pm It is also the final day to tender qualifying offers (a one-year, $19.65 million contract) to free agents.
For roster management purposes, it is the final day to reinstate players from the 60-day injured list.
Finally, eligible minor-league players will also become free agents at 5 pm, which means some teams may choose to add one or more minor-leaguers to the 40-man roster to prevent their free agency.
Nov. 14: Rookie of the Year winners announced.
Nov. 15: Managers of the year announced
Nov. 16: Cy Young Award winners announced
Nov. 17: MVP award winners announced
Nov. 18: The final day to tender contracts to players under team control. All players with under six years of service time must be tendered a contract or non-tendered.
15th day after the conclusion of the World Series (Nov. 18, 20 or 21): A player who has been extended a qualifying offer must choose to accept it or reject it by this date.
Nov. 21: The Hall of Fame ballot for BBWAA voters will be released today. Carlos Beltran is the most prominent newly eligible player on the list.
Nov. 24: Thanksgiving
Nov. 30: The last date to outright a player prior to the Rule 5 Draft.
December 4-7: The annual Winter Meetings will be held in San Diego.
December 4: The Contemporary Baseball Era committee will release its Hall of Fame selections, if any, tonight.
December 7: The Rule 5 Draft concludes the Winter Meetings.
Jan. 24, 2023: The Hall of Fame will announce which players, if any, have been elected on the BBWAA ballot.
Feb. 25, 2023: The Tigers open the Grapefruit League season in Lakeland, Fla., against the Philadelphia Phillies.
March 30, 2023: The Tigers open the regular season against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.
April 6, 2023: The Tigers play their home opener at Comerica Park against the Boston Red Sox.