Now that the 2018 baseball season is officially over, it's time to look at the timelines and decisions going forward, to the frenzy of hope called spring training.
Here are some of the dates to look at, going forward.
October 31,2018
This is the deadline for players with opt out clauses.
Eg. Kerhaw, Price
November 2,2018
Deadline for the clubs to pick up or decline a player option
After Smoak's option was picked up for 2019, the only player left for the Jays to decide on, is Solarte, who has an option for 5.5 million in 2019 and an another in 2020 for 8 million. the buyout for both years is 750,000. Do they pay for both or just the 2018? Dunno for sure. After a hot start in 2018, Solarte cooled off to the point of where I don't think the option will be picked up. Unless there are extenuating circumstances. ( i.e. Trade, Tulo's health, etc )
This is also the deadline for teams to negotiate exclusively with their current free agents. It's also the deadline to give those free agents Qualifying Offers valued at 17.9 Million. Most of the players who were due to be FA's have been traded away with the exception of Marco Estrada. He made 13 million last year and unlikely to receive a QO.
November 6-8, 2018
General Managers meeting in Carlsbad,CA. Not much happens at this meeting as far as trades go but you never know.
November 12, 2018
This is the deadline for players to reject or accept the Qualifying Offers, if they received them. This deadline will mean jack shit to the Jays, as they have already announced that they won't be players for the big time FA's. Nor should they be.
November 20, 2018
Deadline to set the 40 man roster ahead of the rule 5 draft. This could use a post all by itself so I'll leave it for now
November 30,2018
Deadline to tender contracts to arbitration eligible players. Jays players due for arbitration Stroman ( 2018- 6.5 Million ),Pillar-3.25 M, Grichuk-2.8 M,Sanchez 2.7M,Travis 1.45 M and Tepera- 574 thousand ( It's his first arb year )
December 9-13, 2018
Winter meetings in Lost Wages.This was usually where the trades mostly happen but with FA's being signed later and later, there haven't been as many big splashes as in years past.
December 13, 2018
On the last day of the winter meetings the Rule 5 Draft takes place. I doubt the Jays will be picking up any players but they may lose someone who wasn't protected on the 40 man roster. ( Pompey?)
January 11, 2019
Arbitration exchange day when players and management submit salary numbers for the arbitration hearings held in February. Usually they will negotiate a contract before the hearing but not always *cough* .
Please note: All of this was sourced and stolen from other sites. I'm not that smart to remember all this.
Timeline-MLBTR
Jays Contracts-Cot's
Jays contract details-Cot's
Jays current 40 man roster- MLB
