As soon as there is a winner in the World Series between the Astros and Phillies this week, offseason business will begin for the Reds and the other 29 clubs in Major League Baseball.
Here is some information and key dates to get you ready for the Reds' Hot Stove season:
Which players are pending free agents?
RHP Chase Anderson, C Austin Romine, INF Donovan Solano, RHP Hunter Strickland, LHP Justin Wilson
Are any of them likely to receive a qualifying offer?
No.
Which players have contract options?
Left-hander Mike Minor has a $13 million mutual option for 2023 with a $1 million buyout. Cincinnati received $500,000 from the Royals in the trade for southpaw Amir Garrett to cover half of that buyout.
Which players are eligible for salary arbitration?
• Fourth year: RHP Luis Cessa
• Third year: INF Kyle Farmer, RHP Buck Farmer
• Second year: RHP Jeff Hoffman, OF Nick Senzel, RHP Lucas Sims
• First year: RHP Tejay Antone, OF Aristides Aquino, RHP Justin DunnDerek Law
Who might be a non-tender candidate, and when does the club have to make that decision?
The non-tender deadline is Nov. 18. Non-tender candidates include Buck Farmer, Hoffman, Aquino and Law.
Who needs to be added to the 40-man roster this winter to avoid the Rule 5 Draft, and do the Reds have a crunch for roster spots?
This list includes shortstops Elly De La Cruz and Noelvi Marte; right-handers Levi Stoudt, Lyon Richardson and Ricky Karcher; and left-hander Brandon Williamson.
There is a crunch for space on the 40-man roster, and although several players were designated for assignment shortly after the season, others could still be taken off. Those candidates include right-handers Ian Gibaut, Joel Kuhnel and Art Warren.
Teams have until Nov. 15 to protect players from the Rule 5 Draft, which is being held at the Winter Meetings on Dec. 7.
What kind of help do the Reds need, and will they be active in free agency?
The Reds have a few holes to fill, including an outfielder who can produce offensively and a backup catcher. But as a rebuilding club with a reduced budget, Cincinnati isn’t expected to be a major player in the free-agent market.
Whom might they be willing to trade?
General manager Nick Krall completed numerous trades during Spring Training and at the Trade Deadline to move most of their veterans out to cut costs. One player who could be moved is third baseman Mike Moustakas. However, Moustakas is owed $22 million for the final year of his four-year contract and has underperformed since joining the Reds.
Other key dates
• Nov. 7-10: General managers meetings in Las Vegas
• Dec. 2-3: Redsfest
• Dec. 5-8: MLB Winter Meetings in San Diego