FAQ: What to know about Reds' offseason

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CINCINNATI -- Once the Dodgers and Yankees wrap up the World Series, the switch will immediately flip to fire up the machinations of offseason business for the Reds. There are decisions to make as the club works to retool for 2025 under new manager Terry Francona.

President of baseball operations Nick Krall and general manager Brad Meador will lead that decision-making process and make the choices that they hope will better position the Reds to contend again after a disappointing 2024 season.

In FAQ form, here is information and key dates to get you prepared for what's ahead.

Which players are set to become free agents?
RHP Buck Farmer, INF Amed Rosario and LHP Justin Wilson

Which players have opt-outs?
RHP Nick Martinez and RHP Emilio Pagán

Are any free agents likely to receive qualifying offers, and what is the deadline for that?
Teams can extend a qualifying offer to select free agents each offseason. Players who accept are signed to a one-year deal for the next season at the designated value (set at $21.05 million for 2025). Those who don't accept remain free agents, and if a new team signs them, their old team receives Draft pick compensation.

Martinez, who is expected to opt out of his two-year, $26 million contract, is the likeliest to get a qualifying offer.

The deadline for teams to extend a qualifying offer is 5 p.m ET on the fifth day after the World Series ends. The deadline to accept a qualifying offer is 4 p.m. ET on Nov. 19.

Which players have options?
LHP Brent Suter ($3.5 million club option, $250,000 buyout), RHP Jakob Junis ($8 million mutual option, $3 million buyout) and C Luke Maile ($3.5 million club option, $500,000 buyout)

Who might be a non-tender candidate, and when does the club have to make that decision?
RHP Ian Gibaut, 1B Ty France, OF Stuart Fairchild and C Austin Wynns

The deadline to offer a contract to club-controlled players for 2025 is 8 p.m. ET on Nov. 22.

Who needs to be added to the 40-man roster and be protected from the Rule 5 Draft?
The deadline to protect players/prospects from the Rule 5 Draft is 6 p.m. ET on Nov. 19. Four players to watch for here are RHPs Luis Mey, Jose Acuna and Jose Franco and INF Tyler Callihan.

What kind of help do the Reds need, and will they be active in free agency?
Krall made it clear earlier this month that he would like to upgrade both offensively and defensively.

“We have to improve the runs we score and the runs we prevent," Krall said.

Cincinnati will also target bullpen help, as Wilson and Farmer are set to become free agents.

Last winter, the Reds spent north of $108 million on free agents like Martinez, Pagán and corner infielder Jeimer Candelario. Although a payroll figure for 2025 is not yet known, it would seem unlikely that Krall spends big on the open market again.

Who might they be willing to trade?
Krall has historically been wary of trading the organization's leading elite prospects to fill needs on the big league roster. Once again, second baseman Jonathan India's name could figure into trade talks with Matt McLain expected to take second base after missing all of 2024 with a left shoulder injury. India is owed $5 million next season in the second year of a two-year contract, and he is still arbitration-eligible for 2026.

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

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

Nov. 19: A 4 p.m. ET deadline for free agents to accept a qualifying offer

Nov. 22: An 8 p.m. ET deadline to offer a contract to club-controlled players for 2025

Dec. 9-12: 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: Eligible players and their teams exchange arbitration figures

Jan. 15: Start of the new international signing period