FAQ: What to know about Twins' offseason

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Even during the offseason, the wheels keep turning.

Just about as soon as the World Series ends, the Twins -- and teams leaguewide -- will start maneuvering for the season ahead. What should fans be looking for this offseason? Let’s take a look.

What are the key dates?

First day after the World Series: The trade freeze is lifted and Major Leaguers may be traded between clubs.

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

Fifth day after the World Series: The deadline for teams and players to make decisions on contract options, to reinstate all players on the 60-day injured list and to tender qualifying offers. The “quiet period” ends and MLB free agents are free to sign with any club as of 4 p.m. CT. Minor League players become free agents then, if applicable.

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

Nov. 19: The deadline to add players to the 40-man roster to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft is 5 p.m. CT.

Nov. 22: By 7 p.m. CT on the Friday before Thanksgiving, teams must formally tender contracts to unsigned players for the following season, including their arbitration-eligible ones. If a player is non-tendered, he becomes a free agent.

Dec. 9-11: Winter Meetings in Dallas, Texas, 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.

Jan. 23, 2025: Twins' 20th Annual Diamond Awards Banquet.

Which players are free agents? How about those with contract options?

The Twins’ impending free agents are Max Kepler, Carlos Santana and Caleb Thielbar. (Also, technically, Anthony DeScalafani -- remember him?)

Manuel Margot has a $12 million club option that is expected to be declined, with the Twins set to be on the hook for a $2 million buyout. Similarly, Kyle Farmer’s $6.25 million mutual option is most likely going to be declined. Jorge Alcala has a $1.5 million club option, and he should still be around for 2025.

Are any of them likely to receive qualifying offers?

No. The qualifying offer for the 2025 season will be a one-year, $21.05 million deal -- the mean salary of MLB’s 125 highest-paid players -- and the Twins are not expected to offer that to any of their eligible players.

Who might be a non-tender candidate?

There may be some question as to what Alex Kirilloff’s future holds following another season of difficult performance and injury, but he’s likely only due a small raise from the $1.35 million he made in his first year of arbitration eligibility, and the Twins do need some sort of first-base succession plan with Santana’s presumed departure.

Reliever Daniel Duarte, who was injured for the majority of the season, is still on the 60-day IL and would be a non-tender candidate.

Who needs to be added to the 40-man roster this winter to avoid the Rule 5 Draft?

The no-brainer here is right-handed starter Marco Raya, the No. 5 prospect in the organization (and its top pitching prospect) per MLB Pipeline. Beyond that, the pool gets a bit murkier. Double-A catcher/outfielder Ricardo Olivar (No. 15) will likely be added. Outfielder Kala'i Rosario (No. 19) -- who is playing in the Arizona Fall League this year -- is also eligible.

Infielder Rubel Cespedes (No. 22) is 24 years old, but he hasn’t played above High-A, which would make it tougher for a team to stash him in the Majors for a season. An intriguing case is 26-year-old 2019 fifth-round pick Will Holland, who had a .984 OPS in limited action for Triple-A St. Paul this season before missing the last two months with a leg fracture.

If the Twins need roster space, they should be able to make room without compromising their core players.

What kind of help do the Twins need, and will they be active in free agency?

It’s difficult to imagine this Twins roster adding major pieces in free agency, given the ownership group’s stated intent to explore selling the team this offseason and no seeming outward indications that they’ll look to stretch their payroll again.

Relief pitching could be a target, as could -- as always -- right-handed bats (in the corner outfield and around the infield) and a first-base option.

Whom might the Twins be willing to trade?

Given their salary situation, a path toward more flexibility could be to explore trades for Christian Vázquez and Chris Paddack -- players whose roles can be back-filled from within and who are slated to make $10 million and $7.5 million, respectively, next season.

But the Twins haven’t shied away from trading more impactful pieces before -- so keep an eye out for possible deals from areas of relative depth, like the rotation or the bullpen.