The winter meetings are an annual gathering of members from all across the baseball industry. They are held each year in the middle of December, usually Sunday through Thursday of the second week.
Representatives from the major league club, as well as minor league affiliates, free agents, player agents, sales representatives from merchandise companies, members of the media, job seekers, and fans, congregate to meet during the winter meetings.
History
The winter meetings have been a part of the professional baseball offseason since the very beginning. In 1876, the first offseason for the National League, the first winter meetings were held and William Hulbert was named the league’s first president. In 1901, the winter meetings officially became an annually held event.
The winter meetings rotate/are hosted at different locations year after year. There are a few staple stops, Chicago, New York, Dallas, Los Angeles, and San Diego that have been the host of many winter meetings.
The upcoming winter meeting locations are as follows:
2021 – Nashville, Tennessee
2022 – San Diego, California
Structure
The winter meetings are divided into two main sections, the major league side and the minor league side, often separated by two different hotels in the host city. The two sides have their own space to conduct meetings, business, etc. Naturally there is a degree of crossover, as the major and minor leagues have a symbiotic relationship, but the goals of each side for the winter meetings are largely different.
Major league executives’ goals during the winter meetings include exploring trades with other executives, negotiating free agent contracts with agents, and general networking with each other. Major league department directors, coordinators, and managers will conduct interviews with potential additions to their respective departments (Major League Operations, Professional, and Amateur Scouting, Player Development, Research, and Development, etc.).
On the minor league side teams and leagues iron out rules, regulations, and updates for the upcoming season. There is a Professional Baseball Employment Opportunities Job Fair (PBEO Job Fair) where minor league teams interact and collect applications for their various jobs for the upcoming season.
These jobs range from marketing to ticket sales to on-field entertainment to internships and everything in between. For job seekers looking to work in minor league baseball, the PBEO Job Fair is the place to be.
Various other events occur during the winter meetings. Multiple awards ceremonies/announcements are held for players, coaches, front-office personnel, and the media. The final official event of the winter meetings, held Thursday morning, is always the Rule 5 Draft.
Summary
For one week during the middle of December, the entire baseball world is centrally located in one city. The baseball winter meetings are an incredibly exciting time for fans and media and a very busy time for those who work within the game.
The trade and free agency rumors run wild, countless job interviews take place, and those in attendance often have the opportunity to share hotel lobbies with some of the most influential people in baseball.
The conclusion of the winter meetings unofficially signals the start of next year’s baseball season. Teams have signed free agents, completed trades, and hired much personnel for the following season. Next up, pitchers and catchers report in early February!
Related Links:
https://www.mlb.com/news/winter-meetings-faqs-primer-c301590062
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