MLB Key Dates
Date - Event
Dec. 19 Last day for free agents offered salary arbitration to accept or reject the offers
Dec. 20 Last day for teams to offer 2005 contracts to unsigned players
Jan. 5-15 Salary arbitration filing
Jan. 8 Last day until May 1 for free agents who rejected arbitration offers to re-sign with their former teams
Jan. 18 Exchange of salary arbitration figures
Feb. 1-21 Salary arbitration hearings
Feb. 19 Voluntary reporting date for pitchers, catchers and injured players
Feb. 24 Voluntary reporting date for other players
March 2-11 Teams may renew contracts of unsigned players
March 2 Mandatory reporting date
March 16 Last day to place a player on unconditional release waivers and pay 30 days termination pay instead of 45 days
March 30 Last day to request unconditional release waivers on a player without having to pay his full 2005 salary
April 4 Opening day. Active rosters reduced to 25 players
