MLB Terms, Definitions, & FAQs

Free Agency

If a player is drafted and is offered a contract by his drafting team (or any team he is traded to) each year, he may not become a free agent until:

1. His contract has expired with at least six years of service time on a major league 25-man roster or disabled list.
2. His contract has expired with less than six years of service time, but is not tendered a contract or salary arbitration offer (if eligible) by the tender deadline (usually in the second week of December). Such players become non-tender free agents.