For the New York Yankees and the other 29 MLB teams, the 2021/22 postseason is beginning to heat up up with some surprising moves already made by some teams. The Yankees haven’t done much that is earth moving, other than retain Aaron Boone as manager for another three years and hire Luis Rojas, ex Mets manager as their third base coach replacing Phil Nevin.
The does not mean it will continue that way, there are about three months left in the offseason with much happening during the winter meetings. The Yankees will be looking for pitching help, centerfield backup, and the much publicized need for a quality shortstop. Here is a look at the important upcoming offseason dates and what they mean.
Today, November 19:
Today is the deadline for the Yankees and teams to add eligible minor leaguers to the 40-man roster to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft. Generally speaking, college players drafted no later than 2018 and high school players drafted no later than 2017 are Rule 5 Draft eligible this winter, as are players signed internationally no later than 2017. The Yankees will have to be careful, they have lost some key players in the past that were not protected.
Last season they lost shortstop Kyle Holder going to the Phillies and another right-hander, Trevor Stephan, picked by the Indians. But above all the Yankees wished they had protected reliever Garrett Whitlock who turned out big for the Boston Red Sox. The righty pitched in 46 games with an ERA of 1.96.
Dec. 1:
Non-tender deadline. This is the deadline for teams to offer their pre-arbitration and arbitration-eligible players a contract for 2022. They don’t have to sign them just yet, but they do have to offer a contract. Players become free agents if they are not offered a contract.
The Collective Bargaining Agreement ends at 11:59 pm. The GBA is how the owners and players work together for the period of the new contract. In 1994 the owners and players couldn’t come to an agreement and the players went on strike that lasted into the 1995 season. Neither side wants that to happen again but it is very possible if the sides can’t come together particularly on salary caps.
Dec. 6-9:
This years’ Baseball Winter Meetings will be in Orlando, Florida. This is typically when a lot of trades and movement happens each season. Last year was quiet, this year is not expected to be. The Winter Meetings are the busiest week of the offseason. It is non-stop hot stove action. Historically, the biggest moves of the offseason are consummated at the Winter Meetings. GMs can talk face-to-face with agents and other GMs to get things done. It should be active for the New York Yankees, although Brian Cashman often works undercover.
Jan. 14:
This date is the deadline for teams and arbitration-eligible players to submit salary figures. The players state what they think they should be paid and the owners counter with what they feel the player is worth. Most arbitration eligible players agree to a salary before the deadline.
Jan. 15:
The 2022 international signing period opens. This is when Jasson Dominguez was signed by the Yankees in 2019.
Jan. 31 to Feb. 18:
Arbitration hearings happen during this period. Like everything in life sometimes the sides don’t come together. In this case it’s over the players salary for the upcoming season. When they can’t agree the owner and the players goes before a 3-man panel that will decide the validity of each case and pick either the players figure or the owners amount, one or the other.
Mid-February:
Spring training camps open across Florida and Arizona. There is no set date but each team sets up their own schedule for when pitchers and catchers, and when players report. Nevertheless the first day of play for both the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues begin on February 26.
March 31:
March 31 is the date all baseball fans await, it’s Opening Day 2022. All 30 clubs will be in action on Opening Day, with 11 of the 15 games featuring intradivision matchups. The Yankee season will start by hosting the Texas Rangers at the Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.