By Denis Engel
When legendary labor leader Marvin Miller devised the free agent system that Major League Baseball still uses today (with some tweaks along the way), the framework of the system created an “exclusive rights” period during which teams could negotiate with their players to whom free agency was an option. Originally, a 10-day window, this year it is a narrow five-day period, commencing the day after the conclusion of the World Series – November 7. 2023. Coinciding with this period is the opportunity for the team’s front offices to make qualifying offers – giving players an additional 10 days to accept or reject a one-year contract extension. Other deadlines relating to arbitration and non-tenders are also on the horizon. This interim period is much like the winter solstice: dark times are ahead without baseball, but once winter officially arrives, the days actually start getting longer, portending a brighter future.
For fans of our great pastime, this is where we all get to play General Manager. We can scour the internet for the latest rumors as to where players are most likely to sign – and hopefully have much to converse about with like-minded family and friends over the holidays. As for our Mets the big questions that have to be answered are: starting pitching, a solid Designated Hitter, whether Pete Alonso will sign a contract extension and the identity of the person who will be filling out the 2024 line-up card.
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