Important dates for Texas Rangers fans to know in the 2025-26 MLB offseason

As the Los Angeles Dodgers claimed the first repeat championship since the turn of the century last week, the 2025-26 MLB offseason officially kicked off on Monday with nearly 140 players aross Major League Baseball electing free agency.

Twelve of those were members of the 81-81 Rangers team that was fielded in 2025. With a long offseason ahead with a new manager, a search for vital members of the coaching staff and a revamped offense, here are some important dates for Rangers fans to know.

Important dates for Texas Rangers fans to know in the 2025-26 MLB offseason

Players elect free agency (November 2)

The Rangers officially lead Major League Baseball with 12 players who elected to enter free agency this winter. This group includes Rowdy Tellez, Shawn Armstrong, Phil Maton, Merrill Kelly and Tyler Mahle.

Essentially this leaves Texas with the back half of their starting rotation to fill as well as a complete rebuild of their bullpen for the second straight offseason. Among the 12 names, the potential fits for returners would be Armstrong, Maton and Mahle.

Option decisions and qualifying offers (November 6)

By the end of the this week, teams will need to act on their option decisions, as well issuing qualifying offers to eligible players. For the Rangers this is a pretty quiet bunch with no player eligible to be offered the $22.025 million QO. As far as options, the only player on that list is Joc Pederson, with an $18 million player option that he will likely opt into after a tough first year with Texas.

Protection from the Rule 5 draft (November 18)

Teams can protect players from the Rule 5 draft by adding them to the 40-man roster. The Rangers have four prospects that are eligible for the Rule 5 draft if the Rangers decide not to protect them. Those names include INF Cameron Cauley, RHP David Davaillo, 1B Abimelec Ortiz and OF Aaron Zavala.

The non-tender deadline (November 21)

The Rangers have nine arbitration eligible players this winter. Headlining that list is Adolis Garcia, Jake Burger, Jonah Heim, Josh Smith, Josh Jung, Jacob Webb, Sam Haggerty, Ezequiel Duran and Josh Sborz. According to MLB.com's Kennedi Landry, the Rangers are expected to tender contracts to all nine players.

Winter meetings (December 7-10)

This is often the most eventful part of the offseason. Top front-office executives meet each year to discuss trades with other teams and to speak with prospective free agents. The Rule 5 draft takes place on the final day of the winter meetings.

Deadline to exchange arbitration figures (January 8)

Teams will tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players in November. Oftentimes, they will agree to terms on a salary for the upcoming year by that deadline. The official deadline to exchange numbers is January 8. If the team and player cannot agree on terms, then it is a sign that they are likely heading to arbitration.

Opening of the international signing period (January 15)

The 2026 international signing period opens in the middle of January. The Rangers are not rolling into the offseason with a massive slot pool, sitting at $6,679,200, which is middle of the pack from the other 29 MLB organizations.

The biggest prize on the market is likely to be 25-year-old Japanese infielder Munetaka Murakamiwho is expected to be posted by the Yakult Swallows of the Central League in Nippon Professional Baseball.