How the D-backs navigate this offseason and the roster they put together<\/a> will have a tremendous impact on the stability of the organization through 2027 and beyond. Below we take a look at the key dates and decisions that the D-backs must make. <\/p>\n At the same time the seemingly inevitable lockout of the players by MLB on December 1 looms large over the sport. Prior to December 1, it’s business as usual. However, once the lockout does start, everything is frozen<\/a>, including free agency, trades and much more. <\/p>\n Key Offseason Dates and Decisions for the Diamondbacks Sep 27, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Michael Soroka (34) delivers during the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n First Day after the World Series Concludes <\/p>\n A) Players eligible for free agency<\/a> are immediately removed from the 40-man roster. There is a 5-day quiet period during which players may only sign with their current club. The Diamondbacks have 10 players on the 40-man roster set to become free agents.<\/p>\n There are eight pitchers, including Zac Gallen, Michael Soroka, Jonathan Loaisiga, Taylor Clarke, Kevin Ginkel, Ryan Thompson, A.J. Puk, and Dennis Santana. Position players James McCann and Ildemaro Vargas are also free agents. <\/p>\n B) The trade market is open. Teams may make any trade starting the first day after the world series ends. <\/p>\n Five Days After the end of the World Series<\/p>\n A) The quiet period ends. Free agents may sign with any team.<\/p>\n B) Option decisions must be made. <\/p>\n i. The Diamondbacks and Michael Soroka have a mutual option for 2027 with a value of $10 million. The D-backs must “go first” and will likely seek to exercise their end of the mutual option, but Soroka will almost certainly decline his end and exercise free agency. <\/p>\n ii. Corbin Burnes has an op-out clause from the remaining four years, $140 million remaining on his contract. He is not expected to exercise that option<\/a>. <\/p>\n iii. This is also the deadline for teams to extend a qualifying offer, which is expected to be worth approximately $23 million. The only potential candidate for that would be Soroka, but considering the D-backs are expected to reduce payroll<\/a>, it’s highly unlikely they would extend a QO to Soroka.<\/p>\n C) Non-free agents on the 60-day injured list must be reinstated to the 40-man roster. That includes pitchers Cristian Mena and Andrew Saalfrank, along with first baseman Tyler Locklear. <\/p>\n There are currently 44 players listed on the teams’s 40-man roster page, including players on the 60-day IL. Once 10 free agents are removed and the three aforementioned players are reinstated, the 40-man roster would be at 37.<\/p>\n November 9-12: GM Meeting in Las Vegas<\/p>\n The GM meeting used to be a time for teams to dive into the trade market. Nowadays very few trades happen during the GM meetings. For Hazen they are typically used for feeling out conversations and gauge what teams are looking for and initial temperature readings. <\/p>\n Due to the impending lockout, that could change this year, as teams may have a sense of urgency to set as much as possible of their roster prior to December 1. <\/p>\n November 17: Rule 5 Draft Protection and QO Decision Due Arizona Diamondbacks second base prospect Demetrio Crisantes at Arizona Fall League Media Day, Scottsdale Stadium, September 30, 2026. Credit Jack Sommers | Jack Sommers<\/p>\n Minor league players eligible for the Rule 5 Draft<\/a> must be added to the 40-man roster to protect them from that draft. The only certainty in this group of players for the D-backs is overall top-rated prospect Demetrio Crisantes,<\/a> a second baseman currently playing in the Arizona Fall League. <\/p>\n Other names that could potentially be added include catcher Alberto Barriga, first baseman Manuel Pena, infielders Jansel Luis or Cristofer Torin. Pitchers Spencer Giesting, Ashton Izzi, Yu-Min Lin, Landon Sims, and Alfred Morillo are also Rule 5 eligible. <\/p>\n In the unlikely event that the D-backs offer Michael Soroka a QO, this is also the date he would need to decide whether or not to accept it. <\/p>\n MLB Owners Meeting, November 17-19 Oct 23, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; MLB commissioner Rob Manfred is interviewed before game one of the 2026 World Series between Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n The owners meeting is likely to be a true fulcrum point for MLB, as commissioner Rob Manfred attempts to make sure all his ducks are in a row heading into the Lockout and true negotiations with the MLBPA. <\/p>\n![\"Arizona](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/01m5z86y59wy3e13nphf.jpg\" "\\"Arizona")
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