Winter Meetings

[4] The tradition of baseball holding off-season meetings during December dates back to 1876, the first offseason of the National League.

[1][6][7] While it is rare for players who are under contract to attend, free agents often do come to take advantage of the opportunity to introduce themselves to many teams.

[10] With all the principals in one place, the Winter Meetings are typically the site of player trades and free-agent signings.

[19] From 1951 to 2019, the "King of Baseball" title was awarded to a minor league veteran at the Winter Meetings banquet.

[20] With the 2020 minor-league season having been canceled due to COVID-19, the award was not presented in that year, and it was discontinued when MLB took over the minor leagues in 2021.