Sounds like no compression. Since it's unlikly a rod would break from sitting during the winter, is the spark plug missing?

Is the engine itself actually spinning, or is it just
the starting mechanism that spins when you pull the rope?
It could be the 'dogs' inside the start system are froze up.

No, it's the engine itself spinning. The spark plug is in place. One strong pull on the rope and it will spin for about 20 seconds. It does act like there is no compression at all. Do the crank seals affect compression? I am getting spark to the spark plug. Tried starting fluid, no difference.

Due "all that safety stuff" while you remove the plug and push a pencil into the plug hole down to the piston top. Rotate the blade to check that the piston is moving back & forth with crank rotation. Crank seals affect compression in the crankcase, but not compression in the cyl. Even if the seals popped out you shouldn't get free wheeling. If the piston is moving pour just a teaspoon of oil in the plug hole, install the plug, pull the rope and see if compression comes back (checking for bad or stuck ring).