31 October: Eligible players became free agents. However, the five-day silent period restricts players from only negotiating with the teams they ended the season with.

The Red Sox have seven free agents: pitchers Kenley Jansen, Chris Martin, Nick Pivetta, Luis Garcia and Lucas Sims, outfielder Tyler O’Neill and catcher Danny Jansen.

Kenley Jansen is baseball’s active saves leader with 447. O’Neill led the Sox with 31 homers last season.

The Red Sox’ bullpen will need some improvements to close out games without Kenley Jansen and Martin. Liam Hendriks missed all of 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023. A healthy Hendriks could fill Jansen’s closer role. However, this will remain a question mark until it is proven that he is healthy.

The Sox expect to be active participants in the free agent and trade markets and find high-speed, leveraged relievers, especially left-handers.

The Sox should also be in the market for a free agent or two, and Max Fried might be the best option.

4 November: The free agency period officially begins at 18:00. This day also marks the deadline for teams to decide on contract options, bring back players from the 60-day injured list and submit qualifying offers.

Red Sox on Monday Exercised club option on Rob Refsnyder 2 million dollars. They had a $150,000 buyout option but chose to bring Refsnyder back for a fourth season. The 33-year-old outfielder hit career highs in games (93), runs (32), hits (77), doubles (16), home runs (11) and RBIs (40) in 2024.

4-7 November: General manager meetings in San Antonio. These meetings are a precursor to the Winter Meetings, where MLB teams and managers discuss potential changes to the game, rules and league matters. Getting everything ready for winter.

11 November: Announcements of award finalists.

12 November: Silver Slugger award winners have been announced. Third baseman Rafael Devers and outfielder Jarren Duran are the Red Sox finalists.

18 November: In addition to the Hall of Fame voting, the Rookie of the Year award winners will also be announced. Hanley Ramirez and Dustin Pedroia will be on the ballot for the first time.

Pirates starter Paul Skenes and Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill are the favorites for the National League Rookie of the Year award, while Yankees pitcher Luis Gil and Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser are among the American League favorites is taking.

19 November: Manager of the Year awards will be announced. This is also the deadline for players to accept a qualifying offer and for teams to add players to the 40-man roster to avoid the Rule 5 Draft.

The Royals’ Matt Quatraro and the Guardians’ Stephen Vogt are the AL management’s favorites, while the NL favorite is the Brewers’ Pat Murphy.

20 November: Cy Young Award winners will be announced. The Tigers’ Tarik Skubal and the Braves’ Chris Sale are the favorites.

21 November: MVPs will be announced. Aaron Judge of the Yankees and Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers are the favorites.

22 November: Tender deadline. Pre-arbitration and arbitration-eligible players must be offered a contract for 2025. Otherwise, they become free agents.

The Red Sox have three arbitration-eligible players: Duran, Tanner Houck and Kutter Crawford, all in their first year of arbitration. Duran had a career season, batting .285/.342/.492 with a .835 OPS and 21 homers. His 48 doubles and 14 triples led the majors. Houck also had an outstanding season and, like Duran, He was an All-Star first. Houck made 30 starts, compiling a 3.12 ERA.

8-11 December: Winter Meetings in Dallas. These meetings include owners, scouts, GMs and agents and focus primarily on trades and free agent signings. Although meetings can sometimes be slow, Ohtani signed his own last year. Record-breaking 10-year, $700 million contract During these meetings with the Dodgers.

December 10: MLB Draft lottery. The lottery determines the teams that will take the first six places in the draft. The Rockies, Nationals, Angels and Marlins are vying for the No. 1 overall pick.

December 11: Rule 5 draft. This allows teams to draft players outside of their team’s 40-man roster. Garrett Whitlock, for example, was the Red Sox’ Rule 5 draft pick in 2020.

December 15: The international signing period is ending. Teams can no longer sign amateur international free agents.

January 10: Deadline for teams and arbitration-eligible players to exchange numbers.

January 15: The international signing period is reopening.

January 21: The Hall of Fame Class of 2025 will be announced.

27 January-February 14: Arbitration hearings for players who cannot reach an agreement with the team. Teams and players will appear before the referee to negotiate a contract for next season.

Julian McWilliams can be reached at [email protected]. follow him @byJulianMack.