It takes until after the World Series ends for the offseason to really kick into high gear.
Major league players become free agents immediately after the final game, but they are not the only group reaching the open market once the season is over.
On the fifth day following the end of the World Series, players will become minor league free agents. Any player that has spent time in the minors for any seven seasons—they need not be consecutive and whole years in the majors don’t count—will be part of the class. Also, seasons start to count when players are assigned, not signed.