Lead Story - 2/6/2026

Bought out contracts

The following players have had contracts bought out and they are now available for bidding in round 1 of free agency:

1b John Mabry
1b Herb Perry
C Greg Pirkl
Rp Mike Lincoln
Sp Matt Beech
Sp Bob Wickman
Of Jason McDonald

2/6/2026

Off-Season Schedule

Here are the steps and deadlines for the pre-2004 off-season (all times MOUNTAIN):

✅Wednesday, February 4, 11 AM: Deadline to apply rookie tags, sign guys, and request buyouts using existing salary cap space. League year rolls over to 2004 Real-life 2004 rookies imported.

✅Wednesday, February 4, 12 PM: Round 1 of free agency kicks off

Friday, February 6, 1 PM: Deadline to claim 1 real-life 2004 rookie who played for your team. Ranking for rookie draft begins.

Saturday, February 7, 1 PM: 2-round slow draft kicks off

Monday, February 9, 9 AM: Deadline to submit bids for round 1 of free agency

After rookie draft: deadline to submit bids for round 2 of free agency

After rookie draft: Deadline to request contract buyouts

After rookie draft: Opening Day 2004!

After rookie draft: Deadline to request position changes

2/5/2026

2004 Claimed Rookies

Below are the real-life 2004 rookies claimed by their teams. Reminder players eligible to be claimed made their debut with your team in 2004. Anyone not on the team probably didn't play enough to qualify (150 at-bats or 35 innings pitched); but check Baseball Reference to be sure - the site misses guys sometimes.

* = Players have moved to your minor league rosters

Angels: 3b Robb Quinlan*
Diamondbacks: 3b Chad Tracy*
Braves: 1b Adam LaRoche*
Orioles: Rp Eddy Rodriguez*
Red Sox: 3b Kevin Youkilis*
White Sox: Rp Neal Cotts*
Cubs: Sp Sergio Mitre*
Reds: RP Ryan Wagner*
Indians: RP Matt Miller*
Rockies: Of Matt Holliday*
Tigers: Of Marcus Thames*
Marlins: Rp Ben Howard*
Astros:
Royals: Sp Zack Greinke*
Dodgers: Rp Giovanni Carrara*
Brewers: 2b Bill Hall*
Twins: 1b Justin Morneau*
Expos: Rp Chad Cordero*
Yankees:
Mets: 3b David Wright*
A's: Ss Bobby Crosby*
Phillies: 2b Chase Utley*
Pirates: Of Jason Bay*
Padres: Ss Kahlil Greene*
Giants:
Mariners: SS Jose Lopez*
Cardinals: Ss Hector Luna*
Devil Rays: 2b Jorge Cantu*
Rangers: RP Frank Francisco*
Blue Jays:

2/2/2026

2004 Draft Order

This year's draft is two rounds. The list below does not show traded picks.

1. A's 2. Expos 3. Yankees 4. Red Sox 5. Tigers 6. Padres 7. Astros 8. Giants 9. Reds 10. Dodgers 11. Cubs 12. Indians 13. Phillies 14. Mets 15. Devil Rays 16. Cardinals 17. Rockies 18. Rangers 19. Mariners 20. Braves 21. Twins 22. Marlins 23. Blue Jays 24. Orioles 25. Royals 27. Angels 28. White Sox 29. Brewers 30. Pirates

1/17/2026

Traded Draft Picks

2004:
Brewers 2nd to Twins
Angels 1st to Pirates
Brewers 1st to Blue Jays
Diamondbacks 2nd to Pirates
Braves 1st to Red Sox

2005:
Brewers 1st to Yankees

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