Philly Leader

Before the Philadelphia Phillies enter the Hot Stove season, there are several key points to consider regarding their offseason plans.

The offseason calendar kicks off the day after the World Series when eligible players become free agents. This marks the beginning of a five-day "quiet period" where free agents can only negotiate with their current teams, and clubs can start making trades.

Important dates include November 3, which is the last day to request waivers on Draft-excluded players until spring. On November 4, decisions on contract options must be made, and free agents can sign with any team starting at 5 p.m. ET. The GM Meetings will occur from November 4-7 in San Antonio, Texas.

The deadline for players to accept qualifying offers is November 19 at 4 p.m. ET, while December 9-11 marks the Winter Meetings in Dallas, featuring the MLB Draft lottery and Rule 5 Draft.

Phillies' free agents include Carlos Estévez, Jeff Hoffman, and Spencer Turnbull. However, it appears unlikely that any will receive qualifying offers due to various reasons including financial considerations.

Several Phillies players are eligible for salary arbitration: Kolby Allard, Alec Bohm, Austin Hays, Brandon Marsh, José Ruiz, Edmundo Sosa, Bryson Stott, Garrett Stubbs and Ranger Suárez. Non-tender candidates may include Allard, Hays, Ruiz and Stubbs.

Catcher Rafael Marchán is out of options for next season along with other players like Allard and Rodolfo Castro among others. This situation influences how the Phillies plan their roster moves this offseason.

Prospects such as Mick Abel and Jean Cabrera might be added to the 40-man roster by November 19 to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft.

The Phillies aim to enhance their outfield lineup and bullpen while being mindful of luxury tax constraints. There is speculation about interest in free-agent outfielder Juan Soto; however, competition from teams like the Yankees and Mets makes this pursuit challenging.

President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski emphasized an open-minded approach towards potential trades involving both prospects and established players like Alec Bohm or Brandon Marsh as they explore opportunities for improvement.