Hot Stove Season for Major League Baseball and the Mets

The following calendar is taken from The Sporting News and takes us from today and the beginning of the free agent signing period, right through the off season until the opening day of the season and the setting of the active rosters.  A notable event is the GM meeting coming up this week.  In the past, this event has been traditionally about league business and day to day operations of the league and what not (sure to be on the agenda this year is instant reply).  However, in recent times, there has been more and more chatter and ground work laid between GMs regarding trades, transactions, and signings.  You can look for that trend to continue this year I think.  Check it out:

November - Free agent filing period, first 15 days after World Series ends.

Nov. 9-11 - General managers meetings, Chicago.

Nov. 30-Dec. 4 - Major League Baseball Players Association executive board meeting, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Dec. 1 - Last day for teams to offer salary arbitration to their former players who became free agents.

Dec. 7 - Last day for free agents offered salary arbitration to accept the offers.

Dec. 7-10 - Winter meetings, Indianapolis.

Dec. 12 - Last day for teams to offer 2010 contracts to unsigned players.

Jan 5-15 - Salary arbitration filing.

Jan. 6 - Hall of Fame BBWAA voting announced.

Jan. 19 - Exchange of salary arbitration figures.

Feb. 1-21 - Salary arbitration hearings, St. Petersburg, Fla.

Feb. 18 - Voluntary reporting date for pitchers, catchers and injured players.

Feb. 23 - Voluntary reporting date for other players.

March 2 - Mandatory reporting date.

March 2-11 - Teams may renew contracts of unsigned players.

March 17- Last day to place a player on unconditional release waivers and pay 30 days termination pay instead of 45 days.

March 31 - Last day to request unconditional release waivers on a player without having to pay his full 2008 salary.

April 4 - Opening day, active rosters reduced to 25 players.