This story was excerpted from Jason Back's Tigers Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

The Tigers were quiet for much of October, without so much as a waiver claim from president of baseball operations Scott Harris. Now that the World Series has ended, Detroit’s offseason truly begins. And the team has a lot to do.

Here are eight questions laying out the nuts and bolts of the upcoming Hot Stove season:

Which Tigers are free agents?
LHP Matthew Boyd and RHP José Cisnero. The Tigers hold exclusive negotiating rights for five days after the World Series. Neither will receive a qualifying offer.

Who has contract options?
LHP Eduardo Rodriguez has opted out of the three years and $49 million remaining on his contract. SS Javier Báez can do the same with the four years and $98 million remaining but, considering his struggles the last couple of seasons, is expected to stay put.

The Tigers have club options on catcher Carson Kelly and DH Miguel Cabrera. Though Cabrera has made it clear he’s retiring, the Tigers technically have a $30 million option for 2024 that they will buy out for $8 million. The team also has a $3.5 million option on Kelly from August signing. Though Kelly hit just .173 (9-for-52) with the club, Detroit liked his defense and game-calling, and the free-agent catching market is thin. He doesn’t have the service time to qualify for free agency, but if the Tigers decline his option, it would likely be a precursor to a non-tender or outright, which would make him a free agent anyway.

All options must be decided within five days after the end of the World Series.

Who’s eligible for arbitration?
At least seven: Tyler Alexander, Austin Meadows, Casey Mize, Jake Rogers, Tarik Skubal, Spencer Turnbull and Trey Wingenter. Akil Baddoo is also expected to qualify as a Super Two player.

Who might be non-tender candidates?
Meadows played just six games last year and 42 over two seasons in Detroit while working through issues with his physical and mental health. The Tigers have been supportive but could look for a non-guaranteed deal or decide a fresh start is best for both sides.

Turnbull made just seven starts last year in his return from Tommy John surgery. He missed most of the summer with neck issues and then missed time at Triple-A Toledo with a cracked toenail. Harris said last month that the Tigers expect Turnbull to compete for a rotation spot this spring.

Alexander has been a valuable swingman but pitched in just 25 games this year before sustaining a season-ending lat injury. He avoided surgery and was throwing by season’s end, but the Tigers must decide whether to go through arbitration with him. He made $1,875,000 this year.

Wingenter pitched in just 17 games for Detroit while battling injuries.

Teams must decide whether to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players by Nov. 17.

Which prospects need to be added to the 40-man roster to avoid the Rule 5 Draft?
The list includes No. 7 prospect Wilmer Flores, No. 11 prospect Dillon Dingler, No. 22 prospect Roberto Campos and No. 26 prospect Keider Montero, plus unranked prospects Trei Cruz, Daniel Cabrera, Gage Workman, Jack O’Loughlin, Eliezer Alfonzo, Jake Holton and Manuel Sequera.

Rule 5 eligible prospects must be added to 40-man rosters by Nov. 14.

What areas will Tigers be looking to address?
The Tigers need starting pitching depth, especially with Rodriguez opting out. They could also use another offensive catalyst in the outfield, second or third base, and bolster their bullpen with a veteran arm.

Will Tigers be active in free agency?
Harris and general manager Jeff Greenberg will be talking with plenty of free agents, but don’t count on a huge signing. It’s not a deep market for hitters, and Harris has a history of signing pitchers who are bounce-back candidates to short-term deals.

Will Tigers be more active in trade talks?
This could be where the Tigers could get more done. They have enough young pitching to explore trading a pitching prospect or two for an impact hitter, a strategy they already used this offseason in trading right-hander Blake Holub for veteran outfielder Mark Canha. They also have the payroll space to take on another club’s contract burden if Harris sees a bounce-back candidate.