FAQ: What to know about D-backs' offseason

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The offseason will get underway following the World Series. Here are the key dates, names and decisions to know as the D-backs work to shape their roster for the 2025 season:

What are the key dates?

First day after the World Series: Eligible players become free agents. That starts a five-day “quiet period” in which a free agent may negotiate only with their own team. Also, the trade freeze is lifted and Major League players may be dealt between clubs.

Fourth day after the World Series: Last date to request waivers on Draft-excluded players until next spring.

Fifth day after the World Series: The deadline for teams and players to make decisions on contract options, for clubs to reinstate all players on the 60-day injured list and to tender qualifying offers. Also, the “quiet period” ends and Major League free agents are free to sign with any club as of 3 p.m. MT. Minor League players become free agents at 3 p.m. MT, if applicable.

Nov. 4-7: GM Meetings in San Antonio, Texas.

Nov. 19: The deadline for players to accept a qualifying offer is 2 p.m. MT, and the deadline to add players to the 40-man roster to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft is 4 p.m. MT.

Nov. 22: Tender deadline. By 6 p.m. MT on the Friday before Thanksgiving, teams must formally tender contracts to unsigned players for the following season, including their arbitration-eligible players. If a player is non-tendered, they become a free agent.

Dec. 9-11: Winter Meetings in Dallas, including the MLB Draft lottery on Dec. 10 and the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 11.

Dec. 15: End of the 2024 international signing period.

Jan. 10, 2025: Eligible players and their teams exchange arbitration figures.

Jan. 15, 2025: Start of the new international signing period.

Who are the free agents?

The D-backs have four free agents heading into the offseason: Christian Walker, Josh Bell, Paul Sewald and Kevin Newman.

Will any of them be back in 2025?

The D-backs would love to have Walker back, but that could be difficult, given that he will be one of the best free-agent first basemen on the market. Arizona plans on giving Walker a qualifying offer, but he's expected to test the market.

Newman filled a valuable utilityman role for the D-backs, and he could be brought back, while Bell and Sewald will likely not return.

Which players have contract options?

The D-backs hold team options on third baseman Eugenio Suárez and right-hander Merrill Kelly.

Suárez's option is for $15 million with a $2 million buyout in 2025. After a slow start to the season, Suárez became a force in the Arizona lineup in the second half, so the D-backs will all but certainly pick up his option.

Kelly has been a mainstay in Arizona's rotation since returning from Korea prior to the 2019 season. Despite missing much of '24 due to a right shoulder injury, Kelly will most likely have his option picked up by the D-backs. At $7 million (with a $1 million buyout), that should be a bargain.

Outfielders Joc Pederson and Randal Grichuk have mutual contract options, as does right-handed reliever Scott McGough.

The D-backs would love to have Pederson back on his $14 million option, but given the year that he had, it seems likely that he will decline his side of the option and instead collect a $3 million buyout then look for a bigger contract on the free-agent market.

Grichuk was a valuable contributor, but the D-backs have other right-handed options at DH now. The club seems unlikely to exercise its $6 million option, and it's expected to give Grichuk a $500,000 buyout instead.

McGough struggled in 2024 while shuttling between the D-backs and Triple-A Reno. It's unlikely the club will exercise his $4 million option, and it should instead give McGough a $750,000 buyout.

Left-hander Jordan Montgomery holds a player option for 2025.

When he first signed -- just after the 2024 season opened -- it seemed highly unlikely that Montgomery would want to exercise his $22.5 million option for '25 instead of hitting the market again in hopes of landing a long-term deal. But Montgomery struggled mightily this year, and there's a good chance he will exercises his option as he tries to rebuild his value.

Will any D-backs get a qualifying offer?

Walker will most likely receive a QO, which is valued at $21.05 million for the 2025 season, while Pederson is not eligible for one after previously accepting a qualifying offer from the Giants after the '22 season.

Which D-backs players are eligible for arbitration?

Pitchers Zac Gallen, A.J. Puk, Ryan Thompson, Kevin Ginkel and Kyle Nelson are eligible for salary arbitration, as well as shortstop Geraldo Perdomo and first baseman/outfielder Pavin Smith.

Are there any non-tender candidates from that group?

The only real possibility is Nelson, who was limited to just 11 games this past season due to a left shoulder injury.

What's the D-backs' payroll situation?

Arizona had a club record payroll of over $170 million this past Opening Day. D-backs GM Mike Hazen declined to say whether spending would go up or down, but he indicated that he would not be forced to cut any payroll.

With Walker, Pederson, Sewald and Grichuk among those coming off the books, the D-backs should have some money to spend this winter even if their budget remains the same or decreases a little compared to 2024.

What are the D-backs' needs this offseason?

Look for Hazen to try and strengthen the bullpen -- which had some hiccups down the stretch -- by targeting another backend option.

Adding more depth to the rotation could also be a priority, given the struggles and injuries that occurred in 2024.

If Walker and Pederson both leave, the D-backs could look to add another bat to the lineup as well.

Do any notable prospects need to be protected from the Rule 5 Draft?

A few names to keep in mind are infielder/outfielder Tim Tawa, right-hander Joe Elbis and lefty Kyle Backhus.