Important dates for Tigers fans to know in the 2024-25 MLB offseason

A very special season for the Detroit Tigers came to an close a few weeks ago, when they were eliminated by the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Division Series. But now that the Los Angeles Dodgers have been crowned the 2024 World Series champions, the MLB offseason has officially commenced.

The Tigers are entering a critical next few weeks as a team on the rise. President of baseball operations Scott Harris and the rest of the Tigers' front office will be hard at work between now and February, building a foundation for the club to have success in 2025 and beyond. And fans should be along for the entirety of the journey.

Important dates for Tigers fans to know in the 2024-25 MLB offseason

Qualifying offer deadline (November 4, 2024)

Five days after the end of the World Series, teams must decide whether or not to extend a qualifying offer to impending free agents. This is a bigger day for many other teams than it is for the Tigers, who don't have any eligible free agents. Detroit does have one contract option – $3.1 million for pitcher Casey Mize – which they are expected to decline. Even if the Tigers do choose to retain Mize, they can do so for less money through the salary arbitration process. MLB Trade Rumors projects Mize to earn $2 million in arbitration this offseason. Players have until Nov. 19 to accept or reject.

GM Meetings (November 5-7)

This year's GM meetings will take place in San Antonion, TX. Not much action goes down at these; it's more so just a bit of a post-mortem for executives across the league to align and begin the germinating stage of trade talks.

Non-tender deadline (November 22, 2024)

Clubs have until Nov. 22 to decide whether or not to tender a contract to any arbitration-eligible player with fewer than six years of MLB service time. The Tigers have nine players who fall into this category – Mize, Tarik Skubal, Jake Rogers, Zach McKinstry, Jason Foley, Matt Vierling, Beau Brieske and Andy Ibáñez. Retaining all of these players would cost the Tigers roughly $24.5 million in 2025 based on MLBTR's projections. If any of these players is non-tendered, he will immediately enter free agency.

MLB Winter Meetings (December 8-11, 2024)

This year's MLB Winter Meetings will be held from Dec. 8-11 in Dallas, Texas, where player agents and front office executives meet to discuss potential trades, free agency deals, and more. Expect the Tigers to be looking for opportunities to upgrade their pitching staff and potentially add another bat or two. The Rule 5 Draft also happens during Winter Meetings, as does the 2025 MLB Draft Lottery.

Pitchers and catchers report to spring training (February 2025)

Tigers pitchers and catchers will report to Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla., in early February to begin preparations for Spring Training, which officially begins Feb. 20 with an exhibition game between the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers. The Tigers are scheduled to see their first Grapefruit League action on Feb. 22 with a matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies.

More Tigers content from Motor City Bengals