Dodgers Analysis: Updated Non-Tender Candidates
With tomorrow being the non-tender deadline, what Dodgers could bite the bullet?
LOS ANGELES, CA—The non-tender deadline for the 2026 offseason is tomorrow, which means it’s the final day for teams across baseball, including the Dodgers, to decide whether they’ll tender a contract to arbitration-eligible players.
For the Dodgers specifically, the day is of tremendous importance, as the team’s 40-man roster currently sits at 39 players, which at this point in the offseason is a lot, especially if the team plans to be active in free agency.
At the start of the offseason after the Dodgers won the 2025 World Series, I predicted that the Dodgers would likely move on from right-hander Tony Gonsolin and journeyman catcher Ben Rortvedt and included them both in my first draft of potential non-tender candidates.
As we saw, Gonsolin was DFA’d to make room on the 40-man roster for Robinson Ortiz, Ryan Ward, and Max Muncy. Rortvedt was placed on waivers and claimed by the Cincinnati Reds shortly after.
But who could be next to bite the bullet?
Evan Phillips ($6.1 Million in Arbitration)
Like Tony Gonsolin, right-hander Evan Phillips will also miss a significant part of the 2026 season while recovering from mid-season Tommy John surgery.
Phillips was one of the Dodgers’ most reliable relievers on the field, recording a 2.22 ERA over 195 innings since 2021.
Since Phillips was set to become a free agent after the 2026 season and the Dodgers have plenty of pitchers returning next year, the team might non-tender Phillips and work out another deal as he recovers from surgery.
Brock Stewart ($1.4 Million in Arbitration)
Similar to Phillips, right-handed pitcher Brock Stewart is set to miss a good chunk of the upcoming season after undergoing season-ending right shoulder surgery in September.
The Dodgers had hoped he would fill the void of a late-inning right-handed option in the team’s bullpen down the stretch and in October, but that never came to fruition.
Depending on how the Dodgers value Stewart, who is going into his age-34 season, the team could cut bait and look for other right-handed options on the market, whether through free agency or trade.
Anthony Banda ($1.7 Million in Arbitration)
The final player on this list is a candidate to be non-tendered or released this offseason, and that is fan-favorite left-hander Anthony Banda.
Banda, 32, is set to earn around $1.7 million in arbitration this season, according to MLB Trade Rumors projections, and has been a solid left-handed arm in the bullpen for Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
However, Banda does not give the Dodgers roster flexibility as the lefty is out of minor league options, meaning regardless of what moves they make this winter, Banda must be on the Dodgers’ 26-man roster for the upcoming season.
Still, Banda has had a great stint in Los Angeles over the last two seasons, holding a combined 3.14 ERA over 114 innings pitched for the team.
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