The Hot List

Courtesy of ESPN.com. The Yanks and D-Rays get to report on Valentines Day due to their series in Japan. When will MLB dispense with that nonsense?

Jan. 5-15: Salary arbitration filing.

Jan. 14-15: Owners meeting, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Jan. 18: Exchange of salary arbitration figures.

Feb. 1-21: Salary arbitration hearings.

Feb. 19: Voluntary reporting date for pitchers, catchers and injured players.

Feb. 24: Voluntary reporting date for other players.

March 2-11: Teams may renew contracts of unsigned players.

March 2: Mandatory reporting date.

March 17: Last day to place a player on unconditional release waivers and pay 30 days termination pay instead of 45 days.

March 30-31: Opening series, New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay, Tokyo.

March 31: Last day to request unconditional release waivers on a player without having to pay his full 2004 salary.

April 4: Opening day for other teams. Active rosters reduced to 25 players.

June 14: Hall of Fame game, Atlanta vs. Minnesota, Cooperstown, N.Y.

July 13: All-Star Game, Houston.

July 25: Hall of Fame inductions, Cooperstown, N.Y.

Oct. 5: Playoffs begin.

Oct. 12: League Championship Series begin.