Important dates in the Winter 2021-2022 Hot Stove League calendar.
November 3, 2021, 9 am Eastern time: Eligible players become Free Agents, "Quiet Period" begins.
November 3 to November 7, 2021: "Quiet Period" - Former clubs of Free Agents may tender "Qualifying Offers."
November 7, 2021, 5 pm Eastern time: Last date for clubs to exercise options in player contracts.
November 7, 2021, 5 pm Eastern time: Minor League Uniform Player Contracts expire. Eligible minor leaguers become free agents.
November 7, 2021, 5 pm Eastern time: "Quiet Period" ends, Free Agents may sign with any club.
November 8-11, 2021: General Managers' meetings, Carlsbad CA.
November 17, 2021, 5 pm Eastern time: Last date for Free Agents to accept Qualifying Offers.
November 19, 2021: Major and Minor (all levels) Reserve Lists set.
November 30, 2021, 8 pm EST: Tender Deadline (revised) - last date to offer 2022 contracts to unsigned players.
December 1, 2021: Last date to request outright waivers to assign player before Rule 5 draft.
December 1, 2021: Collective bargaining agreement expires, 11:59 p.m. EST.
December 2, 2021, 12:01 am: MLB has locked out the players.
Dates at the mercy of the lockout
December 5, 2021, 5 pm: Last date to outright a player before Rule 5 draft.
December 6-9, 2021: Winter Meetings, Orlando FL.
December 8, 2021: Rule 5 Draft.
December 15, 2021: International amateur signing period closes, 5 p.m. EST.
January 14, 2022: Exchange of salary arbitration figures.
January 15, 2022: International amateur signing period opens.
January 31 - February 18, 2022: Arbitration hearings, Scottsdale, AZ.
February 16, 2022: Voluntary Reporting Day for Pitchers and Catchers - the First Day of Spring.
March 31, 2022: Opening Day?
