As we inch closer and closer to the start of MLS preseason, here is a look at a few key dates coming up in the next month that could shape Orlando City’s roster for 2016.
Monday, December 7 – List of all players eligible for Free Agency and Re-Entry Draft made public
When a player’s contract has ended and their club hasn’t offered a renewal or extension, the player becomes either becomes a free agent Free Agent (28+ years old with 8+ years in MLS) or is eligible for the Re-Entry Draft. The MLS Re-Entry Draft is a draft for players with expired or un-renewed contracts under certain provisions within MLS guidelines.
Players eligible for MLS Re-Entry Draft must be:
- At least 23 years-old, minimum of three years MLS experience, renewal or extension not offered by current club (available at option salary)
- At least 25 years-old, minimum of four years MLS experience, out of contract and current club not offering a contract equal to or more than previous salary (available at previous season’s salary)
- At least 30 years-old, minimum of eight years MLS experience, out of contract and current club declines to re-sign (available for at least 105 percent of previous season’s salary)
Tuesday, December 8 – Negotiations may open between Free Agents and newly interested clubs (1pm ET) / List of eligible players for the Waiver Draft made public
Free agents who meet all requirements may start negotiating their future with any club other than their previous one.
Players who do not meet the eligibility requirements of the Re-Entry Draft will be entered into the Waiver Draft. The Waiver Draft list will become public one day before the draft begins.
Wednesday, December 9 – Waiver Draft (4:30pm ET)
All players that are included on the Waiver Draft eligibility list are available for negotiations with any club other than their previous one.
Thursday, December 10 – Clubs cut off from signing or trading their own Re-Entry Draft players (5pm ET)
All clubs are no longer allowed to offer new contracts or trade their players who are approaching Free Agency at this time.
Friday, December 11 – Stage One of Re-Entry Draft (3pm ET)
Stage one of the Re-Entry Draft allows each team to select a player from the eligible list or pass. Stage one continues until all clubs have passed. Clubs are not allowed to select their own players in this stage.
Once Stage One has closed, clubs are again eligible to exercise their options with their own remaining players.
Wednesday, December 16 – Clubs cut off from signing or trading their own Re-Entry Draft players (11am ET)
All clubs are no longer allowed to offer new contracts or trade their players who are approaching Free Agency at this time.
Thursday, December 17 – Stage Two of Re-Entry Draft (3pm ET)
Similarly to stage one, in stage two clubs will be able to pick eligible players. All players left over from stage one will be available.
Clubs may select their own eligible players in stage two of the draft, but only after all other clubs have declined to select those players.
