DETROIT -- The offseason seems like an eternity each year once it begins. Four-plus months without a game? Just under six months before Opening Day? Ugh.
After going through a few offseasons, however, there's a cycle to them. Teams that miss the postseason spend October clearing up the 40-man roster and making decisions on coaches; for example, the Tigers already announced that all of manager Ron Gardenhire's staff will return. November is for the early stages of free agency and trade talks, almost like first dates, and for decisions on arbitration-eligible players. December brings the Winter Meetings and the Rule 5 Draft. Free agency has continued into January more often in recent years, and toward February for some players.
It doesn't make the time fly by, especially once the first snow falls across Michigan. But at least there's a rhythm to it.
It's nothing like free agency in other sports, which usually goes by more quickly. But baseball free agency requires more negotiation, and less happens before the signing period begins.
As the Tigers' offseason awaits, here's a primer with questions and answers:
1. How many free agents do the Tigers have this offseason? Will they re-sign any of them?
Thanks to the summer trades of Leonys Martin and Mike Fiers, the Tigers don't have many free agents. Jose Iglesias leads the group, followed by Francisco Liriano. Victor Martinez is technically a free agent, but he has made it clear he plans to retire. Jarrod Saltalamacchia is also eligible for free agency.
The one worth following is Iglesias, since the Tigers don't have a ready replacement for his spot at shortstop. General manager Al Avila made it clear that Detroit will see who's out there, but outside of Manny Machado, it's a pretty thin group, and it could lead the club back to Iglesias if both parties are still looking as Spring Training begins.

2. How many potential arbitration cases do the Tigers have?
At least nine. Nicholas Castellanos, James McCann, Shane Greene, Alex Wilson, Blaine Hardy and Louis Coleman are eligible for arbitration again. Daniel Norris and Michael Mahtook are eligible for the first time.
Michael Fulmer is expected to be eligible as a Super Two player; he doesn't have the three years of service time required to be eligible, but he's close enough to rank within the top 22 percent of players within two and three years of service time. Drew VerHagen and Matthew Boyd could be close to the Super-Two cutoff point, which hasn't been officially calculated yet.

3. Will the Tigers bring all of their arbitration-eligible players back? When do they have to decide?
Probably not all of them. Avila noted at season's end that they have some tough decisions to make on some players, McCann being one of them. Hardy was eligible last offseason, but he agreed to a one-year contract before the non-tender date. Mahtook's struggling 2018 season and the Tigers' relative depth in outfielders could make him a non-tender candidate. Coleman will be an interesting case, a Minor League signing who filled a role very well but who turns 33 next April and likely doesn't fit in the rebuild plans.
This year's non-tender date is Nov. 30.
4. Who else could go off the 40-man roster?
Pete Kozma, who's also arbitration-eligible, was added to the 40-man roster to serve as infield depth in September once Iglesias was done for the season. He'll likely be taken off the roster and become a Minor League free agent. Jim Adduci could face the same move, as he did last offseason, as could late-season add Harold Castro.
Ryan Carpenter, who made five starts for the Tigers but was left out during September callups, is a candidate to be designated. The Tigers will have to decide on Artie Lewicki, who underwent Tommy John surgery and will miss all of next season.

5. When are this year's Winter Meetings? Will the Tigers be active there?
The Winter Meetings are scheduled for Dec. 9-13 in Las Vegas. The Tigers will likely be trying to get some smaller deals done there if not before, potentially with non-tenders from other clubs. They're not going on a free-agent spending spree, and they're somewhat limited in trade candidates other teams might covet.
6. Which Tigers could be traded this offseason?
The main candidate to watch is Castellanos, who's a year away from free agency and is coming off the best season of his career in terms of OPS and WAR. He finished in the top 10 among AL hitters in hits, total bases, doubles, runs created, win probability added and outfield assists. Wilson could quietly generate some interest coming off a bounceback year. As for Fulmer, who generated interest at last year's Winter Meetings, his knee surgery likely takes him off the market until he comes back healthy.
7. When is the Rule 5 Draft? Will the Tigers be active in it again?
The Rule 5 Draft is on the final day of the Winter Meetings. The Tigers will likely try to draft another player or two there, hoping to find another young talent like Victor Reyes. They could also find a shortstop candidate here (hey, it worked with Deivi Cruz 22 years ago).
8. Which prospects do the Tigers have to protect from the Rule 5 Draft?
Out of the Top 30 Tigers prospects on MLB Pipeline's rankings, Detroit would need to add outfielder Jose Azocar (No. 19), left-hander Tyler Alexander (No. 24) and former first-round pick Derek Hill (No. 29). The Tigers chose not to add the speedy Azocar last year when he was Rule 5 eligible. Alexander posted a 4.44 ERA this year between Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo, but he's the kind of lefty arm on which a team might take a chance if the Tigers don't add him.
Non-ranked prospects who would need to be protected include Cam Gibson and Erie slugger Josh Lester and shortstop A.J. Simcox. Between free agents and potential non-tenders, they should have enough space to add a player or two if they so choose.
9. What areas will the Tigers target in free agency?
Expect the middle infield to be the Tigers' priority this winter as they look to add at least one veteran to stabilize the infield. If Iglesias returns, that would fill such a spot, but so could longtime Royals infielder Alcides Escobar or Pirates veteran shortstop Jordy Mercer or San Diego's Freddy Galvis, free agents all. The free-agent market is deeper at second base. In either case, the Tigers will be looking for a lower-cost option on a one-year to fill the gap until Dawel Lugo and Willi Castro are ready at second and short, respectively.
After that, the Tigers will look for a starting pitcher or two for depth as they did with Fiers and Liriano last offseason.
10. When does Spring Training start?
The Tigers haven't announced any reporting dates yet, and they usually don't until after the holidays. Their Spring Training game schedule begins on Feb. 22 with an exhibition game against Southeastern University at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.