With the 2025 MLB playoffs well past its midpoint, Atlanta Braves fans are eagerly anticipating what should be a busy offseason. The Braves front office is likely just as antsy, as the club has a manager position to fill and potential upgrades needed at shortstop, the rotation, and in the bullpen.
Before the playoffs wrap up, let's take a look at the key dates during this 2025-2026 MLB offseason.
Key dates Braves fans should know for the 2025-2026 offseason
The day after the final World Series game (Game 7 is scheduled for November 1): players file for free agency and trades begin
At the very latest, the MLB offseason will kick off on November 2 this year. Of course, the earlier the World Series ends, the earlier this starts. Since 2020, no World Series has gone beyond six games.
On the first day of the offseason, the trade restrictions on players on MLB contracts is lifted. It's rare to see players traded on the first day of the offseason, but don't count the Braves out from making a day one deal, as they did last year when they shipped Jorge Soler off to the Angels just 14 hours after the 2024 World Series ended.
Additionally, eligible XX(B) players file for free agency. While players can re-sign, like Joe Jimenez did two seasons ago, they cannot sign with new teams for five days.
Five days after World Series ends: XX(B) players can negotiate and sign with any team; final day for teams to offer Qualifying Offer
Five days after the World Series ends, free agents are finally free to negotiate with other teams. This is also the final day that teams can extend a Qualifying Offer to their pending free agents.
Every Braves free agent is ineligible for the Qualifying Offer, as Raisel Iglesias and Marcell Ozuna have been offered a QO in the past. Ha-seong Kim would also be ineligible if he chooses to opt out, as he did not remain with one team throughout the duration of the season.
November 10-13: GM meetings
The GM Meetings will be held from November 10 through November 13 in Las Vegas. While big trades don't generally happen, Atlanta has made a few in the last decade, including dealing Gold Glover Andrelton Simmons to the Angels in 2015.
November 18-20: Owners Meetings
This year, the Owners Meetings will take place in New York City.
November 18: final day for players to accept Qualifying Offer
This is the final day that players can accept the Qualifying Offer, which is set at $22.02 million this season. Only 14 of the 144 players who have been offered one have accepted one.
November 21: Tender deadline
This is the final day teams can tender pre-arbitration and arbitration-eligible players a contract. If a team does not tender a player a contract, that player immediately becomes a free agent.
The Braves have turned into a non-tender factory the past few seasons, and it would not be shocking if the club non-tenders more than a couple of players this offseason as well.
December 8-11: Winter Meetings
This year the Winter Meetings will take place in Orlando, Florida. In addition to the Draft Lottery and the Rule 5 Draft, there's always a chance a major signing or trade takes place.
December 9: MLB Draft Lottery
For the first time since the draft lottery was implemented in 2022, Braves fans have a reason to tune in. Atlanta will have the sixth-best odds in the lottery for the top pick, although they only have a 4.54% chance of snagging it.
December 10: MLB Rule 5 Draft
The Rule 5 Draft, held annually to allow teams without a full 40-man roster to select players left unprotected by other teams, will occur on December 10 this year.
The Braves are generally not very active in the Rule 5 Draft, but did select two players, Anderson Pilar and Christian Cairo, last season. Neither, however, made the 26-man rosters and were returned to their original teams.