PITTSBURGH -- Winter came early again for the Pirates, who wrapped up their 82-79 campaign on Sunday in Cincinnati. Now, general manager Neal Huntington and Pittsburgh's front office will start plotting a course for the offseason in an effort to get the Bucs back to the postseason for the first time since 2015.
Here are a few key dates, deadlines and questions as the offseason begins.
Who are their free agents?
The morning after the World Series ends, all eligible players become free agents. The Pirates have one such player: shortstop Jordy Mercer, who can test the market for the first time in his career.