July 31 • The nonwaiver trade deadline. Pujols has the right to veto any trade, based on his tenure. Cardinals officials said Wednesday they would not entertain a trade.

Sept. 25 • If Pujols holds to his rule against negotiations during the season, this will be the last regular season home game he is under contract as a Cardinal.

Sept. 29 • If they do not qualify for the postseason, the Cardinals have from this day until five days after the World Series to negotiate exclusively with Pujols. If the Cardinals are in the postseason, they have an exclusive window from their final playoff game until five days after the World Series.

Oct. 27 • This is the scheduled day for Game 7 of the World Series. Afterward, teams have a five-day window to sign their free agents. Other teams may talk with those free agents after the end of the World Series but are prohibited from talking exact figures until the five-day window passes.

Nov. 2 • Latest day for the free agent market to open, when players can seek out and sign with the highest bidder.