Here are the key 2019 MLB offseason dates, and how they impact the Mets...

Day after World Series ends: Free agency begins

The Mets should be returning most of the 86-win team that fell three games short of a playoff spot in 2019. However, they need massive improvements in the bullpen and will also likely need to find a starting pitcher to replace Zack Wheeler, who is expected to depart via free agency.

Among the biggest names expected to hit the free agent market: Gerrit Cole, Anthony Rendon, Marcell Ozuna, Dellin Betances, and Will Smith.

The Mets' notable free agents are Wheeler, Todd Frazier, and Juan Lagares (whose contract is expected to be bought out for $500,000).

Nov. 11: Rookie of the Year award announced

Barring a monumental upset, Pete Alonso will win the award after blasting 53 homers in 2019 while setting a new MLB rookie record.

Alonso will be the first Met to win the award since Jacob deGrom in 2014.

Nov. 13: Cy Young award announced

He isn't as overwhelming a favorite as he was in 2018, but it is widely expected that deGrom will win his second-straight Cy Young award.

No Met has ever won the award two years in a row, and only one other Met has won the award more than once -- Tom Seaver pulled it off three times.

Dec. 2: Non-tender deadline

Players on the 40-man roster who have fewer than six years of major league service time must be tendered a contract each offseason by the non-tender deadline. This includes players who are due raises via arbitration. If a club non-tenders a player, he immediately becomes a free agent.

The only Mets non-tender candidate is Joe Panik.

Dec. 9-12: Winter Meetings in San Diego

After the General Manager's Meetings in November get the framework started for trades and signings, a whole bunch usually go down at the Winter Meetings.

Dec. 12: Rule 5 Draft

The Rule 5 Draft takes place on the final day of the Winter Meetings, with certain minor leaguers who are not on the 40-man roster available. If a team selects a player, they must keep that player on their 25-man roster for the entire season or be forced to offer him back to the team he was selected from.

Jan. 10, 2020: Arbitration figures are exchanged

The Mets have nine players who are eligible for arbitration, including Noah Syndergaard, Marcus Stroman, Michael Conforto, and Edwin Diaz.

Once a player is offered arbitration, the team and that player's agent have until early-February to come to terms on a new contract. If that doesn't happen, both sides submit salary proposals and the player's salary is determined by independent arbitrators during hearings that take place in Phoenix from Feb. 3-21.

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