CINCINNATI -- When baseball season ends, the daily concern about lineups, pitching probables, and wins and losses are set aside for a few months. During the offseason months, the focus remains on the players and front offices, but the buzzwords shift.
Terms like arbitration, non-tender date, the Rule 5 Draft and contract negotiations rule the winter landscape. The Reds -- led by president of baseball operations Dick Williams and general manager Nick Krall -- will certainly be busy trying to make roster upgrades via trades or free agents, while engaging in contract talks with players already under club control.
To help walk you through some of the offseason process, here are answers to some of the questions.
When does free agency open?
Right after the World Series.
Do the Reds have any free agents?
Cincinnati has just one: starting pitcher Matt Harvey.
Do any Reds players have options that need to be exercised or declined?
Not this offseason.
• Questions Reds face this offseason
What is the Reds' biggest offseason need?
Starting pitching.
Which free agents might they target to get starting pitching?
This remains a little murky, since Williams often remains tight-lipped about the club's intentions. He did say that the Reds are prepared to make significant, and not incremental, payroll expansion to try to acquire starting pitching to help the club. Names like Patrick Corbin and Dallas Keuchel will undoubtedly be at the top of several teams' wish lists, but don't be surprised if the Reds take a look at middle-tier names like Giovany Gonzalez, Wade Miley, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Lance Lynn and, perhaps, Harvey.
What is Homer Bailey's contract status?
The longtime Reds starting pitcher is owed $23 million in 2019, the final year of his six-year, $105 million contract. There is a $25 million mutual option for 2020 with a $5 million buyout. That means that the club owes Bailey no less than $28 million.

Bailey, 32, was 1-14 with a 6.09 ERA this season, while the Reds lost 19 of his 20 starts. He is 9-26 with a 6.29 ERA in 44 starts since 2016. In part because of the three elbow surgeries he's had, Bailey doesn't feel he could properly prepare to pitch out of the bullpen. It's unclear where he would fit in the revamped rotation. The Reds could just consider the $28 million sunk cost and release Bailey, which is a significant choice for a small-market club. Or they could kick the can down the road, bring him back next season and see if he can show improvement before making a decision.
When must players be protected on 40-man rosters to be protected from the Rule 5 Draft?
All clubs must set their 40-man rosters by Nov. 20.
Who are some of the prospects that will need to be protected?
Among the Top 30 Reds prospects, according to MLBPipeline, who will be added to the 40-man roster for protection are second baseman Shed Long (No. 8), reliever Jimmy Herget (No. 13), outfielder Michael Beltre (No. 22) and outfielder/first baseman Nick Longhi (No. 25).
When is the Rule 5 Draft?
Dec. 13, on the final day of the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas. The meetings open on Dec. 9.
Which Reds are eligible for arbitration?
Second baseman Scooter Gennett (third year), outfielder Billy Hamilton (third year), right-handed starter Anthony DeSclafani (second year), right-handed reliever Michael Lorenzen (second year), catcher Curt Casali (first year), shortstop Jose Peraza (first year) and outfielder Scott Schebler (first time).

When is the date to tender 2019 contract offers to unsigned players?
Nov. 30.
Are there any players who could be not tendered a 2019 contract?
It's not unreasonable to think some club-controlled players could come off the roster -- such as struggling pitchers Brandon Finnegan and Robert Stephenson and outfielder Mason Williams. Both Finnegan and Stephenson were once considered big parts of the future.
Are any players out of Minor League options heading into Spring Training?
Lefty reliever Amir Garrett, utility player Dilson Herrera, Stephenson and righty reliever Matt Wisler.