Important dates for Twins fans to know for the 2026-27 offseason before looming lockout

Following the conclusion of the World Series, the Minnesota Twins face a compressed offseason calendar ahead of an anticipated lockout when the CBA expires on December 1. Free agents become eligible to sign on November 2, which also serves as the deadline for mutual option decisions. The Twins have already declined mutual options for designated hitter Josh Bell and pitcher Joe Ryan, while also weighing a $23.15 million qualifying offer for catcher Ryan Jeffers.

Additional critical dates include the General Manager meetings in Las Vegas from November 9 to 12 and the Rule 5 protection deadline on November 17. The tender deadline for arbitration-eligible players falls on November 20, with players like Trevor Larnach, Bailey Ober, and Royce Lewis facing roster decisions. Puckett's Pond reports that a league-wide lockout is widely expected after December 1 over salary cap disputes.