What time does MLB free agency start?

The Clock Starts Ticking: When Does MLB Free Agency Actually Begin?

The roar of the World Series fades, confetti settles, and the baseball world shifts its focus: free agency. While the calendar might mark October 31st as the day players officially become free agents, the real action, the frenzied scramble for coveted talent, doesn’t begin until the following day. So, when exactly does the MLB free agency period start?

The answer is precise: 5 PM Eastern Time on November 1st.

This is the moment when teams can officially begin negotiating and signing contracts with free agents. The period before this, though players are technically eligible, is a period of quiet anticipation and behind-the-scenes maneuvering. Agents make calls, preliminary discussions are held, and the groundwork for the upcoming frenzy is laid. But it’s the official 5 PM ET marker on November 1st that signals the opening of the floodgates.

It’s important to distinguish between player eligibility and the actual signing period. Players reach free agent status on October 31st, meaning their contracts with their former teams have expired and they’re free to explore their options. However, the MLB’s collective bargaining agreement dictates that the formal signing period doesn’t commence until 5 PM ET on November 1st, following the conclusion of the World Series. This allows for a small window of strategizing and preparation, but also ensures a concentrated period of intense activity once the clock starts.

So, mark your calendars. For baseball fans, November 1st at 5 PM ET isn’t just another day; it’s the launch of a new era, filled with speculation, blockbuster deals, and the tantalizing possibility of a team’s fortunes changing overnight. The clock is ticking, and the hot stove is about to blaze.