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Every Key Dodgers Offseason Date Before Mlb Lockout

The first month of the offseason will be crucial for the entire team in Major League Baseball, as it’s the only chance to get business done before the lockout.

What to expect in the MLB offseason

For the Dodgers and other big spenders, this may be their last window to freely spend before the new Collective Bargaining Agreement possibly installs a salary cap.

Additionally, players will seek financial security, while teams will want to know who is on their roster regardless of the outcome of CBA talks.

These indicators point to strong motivation to close deals, either signing or trading.

Apr 28, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten talks with Andrew Friedman, President of Baseball Operations, prior to the game against the Miami Marlins at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Here are the upcoming dates to look out for before the lockout:

October 29th – November 2nd: Offseason begins

Now that the season has ended, teams can start negotiating with their own free agents on Thursday, Oct. 29th. Additionally, teams can start talking to other free agents, but they can’t finalize any deals.

The Dodgers have eight free agents they can square away deals with before the floodgates open.

This negotiating window only lasts five days.

November 2nd: Free Agency Opens Up

On Monday, Nov. 2nd, following the World Series, things really start moving. Free agents can officially sign with another team, teams make final calls on qualifying offers, they need to reinstate players from the 60-day IL, and some eligible minor leaguers hit free agency.

The deadline for these pending decisions is 2 pm. PST.

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November 9th-12th: General Manager Meetings

In Las Vegas, general managers from the entire league will meet. Typically, these don’t lead to much action, but since a lockout will wipe out the Winter Meetings, the GM meetings will feel even more important for getting any notable deals done.

November 12th: Qualifying Offer Deadline

Teams must accept or decline qualifying offers. The Dodgers have no free agents who will receive a qualifying offer, but if they try to acquire one, the team will get a sense of who will cost them international pool money and draft picks.

November 17th: Rule 5 Protection

This is a big date for the Dodgers, since they need to protect players by adding them to the 40-man roster.

The deadline is at 3 p.m. PST.

If the Dodgers don’t add them, four players are eligible for the Rule 5 Draft: Christian Zazueta, Jackson Ferris, Adam Serwinoski, and Jake Gelof.

Given their status and promise, Zazueta is a lock, while Ferris and Serwinoski are likely additions.

November 20th: Non-tender Deadline

Another sneaky-important date for the Dodgers: Nov. 20th is when arbitration-eligible players can be essentially released, or “non-tendered,” and become free agents.

Among the candidates for non-tender are Gavin Stone, Alex Call, and Jake Cousins, though the Dodgers could non-tender all three and try to trade them.

Jun 23, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Alex Call (12) celebrates hitting a home run against the Minnesota Twins in the eighth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

December 1st: Lockout

Dun. Dun. Dun. The lockout takes effect on Dec. 1st at 9 p.m. if the players’ association and ownership can’t agree on a new collective bargaining agreement.

The league will push hard for a salary cap, among other reforms, while the players will fight it and try to get their own initiatives through.