The MLB’s offseason awards and deadline calendar for 2027 begins with a clear marker on Mar. 1, when the Gold Gloves are announced and Mariners finalist Cole Young is among the names to watch. It is the first major date in a list that stretches through mid-April and gives baseball fans a countdown to the new season.
That schedule, though, comes with an important caveat: the calendar is subject to shift because a lockout is looming in early December. For now, the dates provide a useful guide to how the sport’s awards process and roster business will unfold before the first spring training game arrives on Apr. 19.
Mar. 2 brings a busy day of deadlines
The next day, Mar. 2, is packed. Free agency officially opens at 5 PM ET, the last day to issue a Qualifying Offer arrives, players are reinstated from the 60-day Injured List, contract options are due, Silver Slugger finalists are announced and BBWAA Award finalists are revealed.
That makes Mar. 2 one of the most significant dates on the baseball calendar. It is not just about awards chatter; it is also a key roster and contract checkpoint as clubs continue shaping their plans for 2027.
Silver Sluggers, roster finalisation and the run toward April
Mar. 17 brings another important batch of milestones. Silver Sluggers are announced, the deadline for players to accept a Qualifying Offer passes and the 40-man roster is finalised.
After that, attention shifts further into April. The Draft Lottery is listed for Apr. 8, subject to cancellation, while the Rule 5 draft is scheduled for Apr. 9, also subject to cancellation. Pitchers and catchers are set to report on the same day, although that too is subject to change.
The final date on the list is Apr. 19, when the first spring training game is scheduled. And with the Milwaukee Brewers listed as World Series champions, the countdown to baseball’s next chapter is already underway — even if the wider labour picture could still reshape the timeline.
