This story was excerpted from Mark Sheldon’s Reds Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

CINCINNATI -- As the Reds' offseason work is poised to begin in earnest, there are several dates, deadlines and issues to keep track of as the club forms its 2024 roster.

Here is a handy FAQ to help you follow along:

What are the key dates?

First day after the World Series ends: On Thursday, following the Rangers' win over Arizona in five games, teams could resume trading Major League players, and eligible players automatically became free agents. That started a “quiet period” in which free agents may negotiate only with their own team.

Fifth day after the World Series ends: The deadline for teams and players to make decisions on contract options. Also, the “quiet period” ends and Major League free agents are free to sign with any club as of 5 p.m. ET. It's also the deadline for clubs to tender qualifying offers.

Nov. 7-9: General Managers Meetings in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Nov. 14: The deadline for players to accept a qualifying offer is 4 p.m. ET. The deadline to add players to the 40-man roster to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft is 6 p.m. ET.

Nov. 17: Tender deadline. Often referred to as the non-tender deadline, 8 p.m. ET is the deadline for clubs to tender 2024 contracts to unsigned players, including their arbitration-eligible players. If a player is non-tendered, he becomes a free agent.

Dec. 4-6: Winter Meetings in Nashville, including the MLB Draft lottery on Dec. 5 and the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 6.

Jan. 12, 2024: Eligible players and their teams exchange arbitration figures.

Jan. 15, 2024: Start of the new international signing period.

Mid-February, 2024: Reds pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training.

Which players are free agents?

OF Harrison Bader, RHP Buck Farmer

Are any of them likely to receive qualifying offers?

No. This year’s figure is $20.325 million, the average of the top 125 salaries in MLB. Bader is also ineligible since he was acquired via a waiver claim on Aug. 31.

Who has 2024 contract options?

C Curt Casali ($2.5 million mutual option, $750,000 buyout)
1B Joey Votto ($20 million club option, $7 million buyout)

Obviously, there will be plenty of attention on what becomes of Votto. As I wrote in last week's newsletter, even if the option isn't exercised by Cincinnati and Votto becomes a first-time free agent, he would still be able to return at a different salary figure if both sides are in agreement. 

Which players are eligible for arbitration?

RHP Tejay Antone (second time), OF Jake Fraley (first time), 2B Jonathan India (first time), RHP Derek Law (second time), OF/IF Nick Senzel (third time), RHP Lucas Sims (third time), C Tyler Stephenson (first time), LHP Alex Young (first time).

Are there non-tender candidates?

Despite having versatility in the outfield and infield, Senzel -- who earned $1.95 million in 2023 -- saw his playing time diminish greatly amid several younger players arriving and taking over starting spots at the positions he plays.

Young, who earned $1.15 million after making the club in camp as a non-roster invite, could be non-tendered with fellow lefty Sam Moll already in the bullpen and the potential need for 40-man roster spots.

Who needs to be added to the 40-man roster?

These are some of the names to watch:

OF Rece Hinds (Reds’ No. 10 prospect per MLB Pipeline), RHP Jose Acuña, OF Jacob Hurtubise, OF Allan Cerda, RHP Christian Roa, 2B Tyler Callihan, LHP Jacob Heatherly, 2B Ivan Johnson, C Daniel Vellojin

What is the financial situation?

President of baseball operations Nick Krall has not revealed the 2024 payroll plan or the budgetary boundaries he will be working under this winter. However, the Reds have only two players under contract for next season in starting pitcher Hunter Greene, who will earn $3.3 million, and backup catcher Luke Maile, who signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal on Oct. 19 with a club option for 2025.

That should leave room for Krall to maneuver and make the needed additions to supplement the roster and potentially, to bring Votto back if he is viewed as a fit.