Dodgers News: 2026 Dodgers Offseason Cheat Sheet

LOS ANGELES, CA—The Los Angeles Dodgers’ 2025 season is offically over, as they become the first team to defend their World Series title in over 25 years, defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game Seven.

While the team returns to Los Angeles to celebrate their accomplishment, soon it will be business as usual for Andrew Freiman and the Dodgers front office as they look to put the team in the best possible position for the 2026 season.

So before that all begins, here’s a rundown of the upcoming offseason, including free agents, club/mutual options, non-tender candidates, and important dates for the upcoming 2026 offseason.

Free Agents

(8): Michael Conforto, Kirby Yates, Max Muncy ($10 million Club Option), Clayton Kershaw (retired), Miguel Rojas, Michael Kopech, Alex Vesia ($3.6 million Club Option), Kiké Hernández

The Dodgers have six total free agents this winter, with that list jumping to seven if the team decides to decline the club options on veteran third baseman Max Muncy and left-handed reliever Alex Vesia.

Michael Conforto

Last offseason, the Dodgers signed Conforto to a one-year deal as a reclamation project due to their need for outfield help and a limited talent pool. However, the move did not succeed despite the organization granting him plenty of flexibility. He ended the season with a .199/.305/.333 batting line and an 83 wRC+ over 418 at-bats.

Conforto was not included on any of the Dodgers’ postseason rosters, and it seems probable that they will part ways, even though there remains a need for an outfielder.

Kirby Yates

Last offseason, the Dodgers signed Yates to a one-year, $13 million deal to bolster their bullpen. He had an excellent 2024 season with the Texas Rangers but was unable to replicate that performance with the Dodgers.

The right-hander also struggled to stay healthy this season, which may have led to his decline. At 38, Yates probably isn’t on the Dodgers’ free agency plans this winter.

Clayton Kershaw

Veteran left-hander Clayton Kershaw announced his retirement from Major League Baseball in the final month of the season, ending his Hall of Fame career after 18 seasons, all of which were with the Dodgers.

Miguel Rojas

The Dodgers opted to exercise Rojas’s club option last year as they saw value in his veteran leadership and versatility on the Dodgers’ infield.

However, Rojas proved his worth for that contract in the final two games of the Fall Classic, which included a game-tying solo home run in the ninth inning off Jays closer Jeff Hoffman.

Since rejoining the organization in 2023, Rojas has served as a reliable bench player for the Dodgers, posting a .260 batting average along with 18 home runs and 94 RBIs in 341 games over the past three seasons.

During that period, Rojas has demonstrated strong defensive skills, earning a Gold Glove nomination this season as a utility infielder.

Rojas has expressed that he intends the 2026 season to be his final year of his career, with a strong desire to return to Los Angeles.

Michael Kopech

Kopech was a massive part of the Dodgers’ bullpen in the second half of the 2024 season, helping the team secure its first World Series championship since 2020.

The right-hander, whom the Dodgers acquired at last year’s trade deadline from the Chicago White Sox, missed most of the 2025 season due to various injuries, only making 14 appearances.

While Kopech could undergo offseason surgery, the Dodgers could opt to bring back the right-hander as he found consistent success in a Dodger uniform, posting a 1.54 ERA in his 1.5 years in Los Angeles.

Kiké Hernández

Last up on the free agent board is veteran utilityman, fan-favorite, and October hero Kiké Hernández, who returned to the Dodgers on another one-year deal last offseason.

Hernández, 34, missed a good chunk of the season due to a left elbow injury that impacted his swing and his slashline across the board.

Overall, the veteran utilityman hit a mediocre .203/.255/.366 with a 70 wRC+ in 90 games this season, but hit when it mattered most, coming through yet again in October, posting a .250 average and driving in seven runs en route to yet another World Series championship.

Club/Mutual Options

As mentioned in the free-agent portion, the Dodgers have two club options they’ll have to decide on over the next few days—whether to exercise or decline, making those players unrestricted free agents.

However, this season, those decisions should be relatively easy considering who those players are and the value of their deals.

Max Muncy ($10 Million Club Option)

The Dodgers took a chance on a recently DFA’d Max Muncy back during the 2017 offseason, signing him to a minor league deal. A year later, Muncy would insert himself as a critical piece of the Dodgers’ lineup.

While the 35-year-old third baseman battled numerous injuries this season, such as a mild oblique injury and a significant knee injury that kept him out most of the second half, he still put together a solid season at the plate.

Overall, the left-handed slugger hit .243/.376/.470 with a 137 wRC+ and put together a solid 2.9 fWAR in just 100 games.

Muncy’s $10 million club option is a no-brainer for the team to pick up with no realistic internal options on the roster, and while they could promote shortstop Alex Freeland, who spent time at third when Muncy was on the injured list, he left much to be desired.

Alex Vesia ($3.6 Million Club Option)

Alex Vesia proved again how valuable he was in the Dodgers’ bullpen this season, posting a 3.02 ERA in 68 appearances.

Vesia was one of the left-handers in the Dodgers bullpen that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts trusted in the second half of the season and in October amid all the chaos.

Vesia was unable to pitch in the 2025 World Series due to a family issue, and while we pray for him and his family, it is almost a forgone conclusion that the team will exercise his $3.6 million option for 2026.

Qualifying Offers

The Dodgers don’t have any players that would require the rumored $22 million qualifying offer in order to protect themselves in receiving some sort of return if any of their seven free agents depart.

The qualifying offer was introduced in MLB free agency in 2012 and continued to be part of the collective bargaining agreement for the 2022-2026 seasons, as negotiated by the league and the Players Association.

The precise amount for the 2026 qualifying offer will be determined in October. It is calculated by averaging the salaries of the league’s top 125 highest-paid players.

Last year’s offer was $21.05 million, and the Dodgers only extended it to outfielder Teoscar Hernández, who declined it before re-signing with the team later that winter.

Arbitration Eligible Players

The Dodgers have nine arbitration-eligible players this offseason and will have until January 8th to exchange arbitration figures; however, both sides can agree to a new contract during this period, voiding the arbitration process.

Here is the list and the projected figures and service time, courtesy of MLB Trade Rumors:

• Brusdar Graterol (5.167): $2.8MM
• Tony Gonsolin (5.152): $5.4MM
• Evan Phillips (5.136): $6.1MM
• Alex Vesia (5.078): $4.1MM (Dodgers hold a $3.65MM club option with a $50K buyout)
• Anthony Banda (4.135): $1.7MM
• Brock Stewart (4.093): $1.4MM
• Ben Rortvedt (3.135): $1.3MM
• Michael Grove (3.031): $800K
• Alex Call (2.161): $1.5MM

Non-Tender Candidates

The Dodgers have taken advantage of the non-tender deadline in recent years to clear spots on their 40-man roster for a busy winter.

Last season, the Dodgers opted to non-tender October hero Brent Honeywell despite the franchise commending him for his work during the 2024 postseason.

The organization has also shocked the MLB landscape when they decided to non-tender former MVP Award winner Cody Bellinger after the 2022 season, and with a big offseason on the horizon yet again, what players could be biting the bullet before the November 12th non-tender deadline?

Tony Gonsolin

Right-handed pitcher Tony “Cat Man” Gonsolin is entering his final year of arbitration and is set to become a free agent after the conclusion of the 2026 season.

While Gonsolin has had a promising career in Dodger Blue and was a massive part of their success during the 2020, 2021, and 2022 seasons, the right-hander has been plagued with injuries since and will miss a significant chunk of the 2026 season after undergoing an internal brace procedure, which will put him out around eight to ten months.

The two sides were able to avoid arbitration last season, agreeing to a one-year, $5.4 million deal, and is expected to fetch a similar price in arbitration this season, but with the Dodgers having a surplus of pitching, they could benefit from the extra spot on the 40-man roster this winter and cut ties with Gonsolin now.

Evan Phillips

Similar to the situation revolving around Tony Gonsolin, right-hander Evan Phillips is also set to miss a decent amount of the 2026 season while recovering from mid-season Tommy John surgery.

When on the field, Phillips was one of the Dodgers’ most trusted arms out of the bullpen, posting a 2.22 ERA across 195 innings pitched since the 2021 season.

Like Gonsolin Phillips is set to become a free agent after the 2026 season, and with the Dodgers having a luxury of arms coming back next season, the team could move on from Phillips as he recovers from surgery.

However, the bullpen will be a significant part of the Dodgers’ offseason, as the unit struggles mightily this season despite multiple massive contracts given to lefty Tanner Scott, veteran Blake Treinen, and Kirby Yates.

Other Options

• Ben Rortvedt: Out of minor league options, the Dodgers have Dalton Rushing, who is MLB-ready.
• Anthony Banda: Out of minor league options, but a spot in the bullpen seems secured for now

Key Dates

With the conclusion of the 2025 World Series, the MLB offseason is unofficially underway. That said, there are multiple key dates to mark on your calendar to keep up with all the latest news and rumors.

1st day after World Series (by November 2nd):

• Trade market reopens
• Exclusive negotiation period starts – Eligible players officially become free agents (9 am ET), but can only negotiate and re-sign with their former club

5th day after World Series (by November 6th):

• Deadline for contract option decisions
• Deadline for clubs to extend qualifying offer (5 pm ET)
• Exclusive negotiation period ends / free agency starts (5 pm ET)

15th day after World Series (by November 16th): Deadline for players to accept qualifying offer (4 pm ET)

November 18th: Rule 5 Draft protection deadline (4 pm ET) – Eligible players are protected if added to the 40-man roster

November 10th – 13th: General Manager Meetings (Las Vegas, NV)

November 21st: Non-tender deadline for players under club control

December (TBD): International posting period starts for eligible players from Japan (NPB), South Korea (KBO), and Taiwan (CPBL)

December 7th – 10th: Winter Meetings (Orlando, FL)

December 15th, 2025 International Amateur signing period ends

January 8th: Deadline for players and teams to exchange arbitration figures

January 15th (through December 15th): 2026 International Amateur signing period starts

February 2026:

• Arbitration hearings begin (TBD)
• Pitchers and catchers report (TBD)
• Spring Training starts (TBD)

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