Five days after World Series: Free agency begins.
Teams must decide which players to extend one-year, $15.8 million qualifying offers, most notable in the cases of White Sox pitcher Jeff Samardzija and Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler. The Cubs' Austin Jackson and Chris Denorfia and the Sox's Gordon Beckham and Geovany Soto are among several other players likely set to hit free agency, along with relievers such as the Cubs' Jason Motte, Fernando Rodney and Trevor Cahill and the Sox's Matt Albers. The Sox must decide whether to give shortstop Alexei Ramirez a $10 million club option, or he will become a free agent too.