The General Managers Meetings officially begins on Monday, November 7 in Scottsdale, Arizona and will last through Thursday, November 10.
All 30 MLB general managers will meet and discuss a variety of baseball issues like the new CBA, participate in various workshops and make presentations, and then elect the 2016 MLB Executive of the Year. But of course that is merely the backdrop.
The GM Meetings have evolved into a staging ground for all of the wheeling and dealing that is to come this winter. It’s the official start of the Hot Stove season and more and more trades and signings come out of it with each passing year.
We have seen more and more deals taking place at the GM meetings over the last few years. Last year we saw the Braves deal Andrelton Simmons during the GM meetings, and lets not forget that in 2014, Sandy Alderson signed free agent Michael Cuddyer to a two-year deal during the GM Meetings.
My guess is that this year, Sandy will be spending a great deal of his time trying to gauge the market for an upgrade at catcher, acquiring a top shelf reliever to bolster the bullpen, and maybe even take a peak at the center field and second base markets.
Whatever happens, it should be an interesting four days filled with lots of rumors, actual trades, and even some early free agent signings. We’re looking forward to covering all the action for you on MMO.
Important Dates:
Nov 7 – Teams extend qualifying offers to their eligible free agent players.
Nov 8 – Free Agency officially begins and players can negotiate with all 30 MLB teams.
Nov 14 – Free agents must inform their teams if they are accepting or declining their qualifying offer.
Nov 18 – Teams must finalize their 40 man roster for the upcoming Rule 5 Draft.
Dec 1 – The current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires.
Dec 2 – Teams must non-tender or offer arbitration to their eligible players.
Dec 5 – Winter Meetings in National Harbor, Maryland through Dec 8.
Dec 8 – Rule 5 Draft
