Key Dates for Cardinals Fans to Monitor This Offseason
As Major League Baseball transitions into the offseason, the St. Louis Cardinals are gearing up for an eventful period ahead. With only a handful of teams still competing for the championship, the Cardinals, along with the rest of the league, are already setting their sights on the 2026 season.
Offseason Timeline
Several crucial dates are on the horizon for Cardinals fans to keep an eye on as they navigate the offseason landscape:
Five Days After the World Series: Option deadline
November 21: Non-tender deadline
December 8-11: Winter Meetings
December 9: MLB Draft lottery
December 10: MLB Rule 5 Draft
Mid-February: Cardinals report to Spring Training
Late February: Cardinals begin Spring Training games
March 26: Cardinals Opening Day
These dates will serve as pivotal moments in the Cardinals’ offseason strategy, providing fans with significant milestones to anticipate.
Free Agency and Team Decisions
While the Cardinals may not face pressing decisions regarding player options, the free agency landscape looms large. Currently, the team has one notable player, Miles Mikolas, who is set to enter unrestricted free agency. As the non-tender deadline approaches on November 21, the Cardinals must determine the status of their arbitration-eligible players on the 40-man roster.
The Winter Meetings, considered the unofficial kickoff to free agency, will see the convergence of team executives, agents, and players, fostering an environment ripe for trades and signings. Historically, this period has been bustling with activity, and fans can expect a flurry of moves as the Cardinals seek to solidify their roster.
Looking Ahead to Spring Training
After the flurry of offseason activity, the focus will shift toward Spring Training. Although the Cardinals have yet to announce exact dates for 2026, last year’s schedule saw pitchers and catchers report around February 12, followed by the commencement of Spring Training games on February 22.
As the playoffs unfold, the Cardinals remain in a holding pattern, but the anticipation for the offseason is palpable. Fans should brace themselves for a thrilling period of decision-making and player movement as the organization looks to enhance its competitiveness for the upcoming season.
