Dodgers News: Dodgers Arbitration-Eligible Pool Shirks to Four Players
With the non-tender deadline passed, the Dodgers have four arbitration eligible players remaining
LOS ANGELES, CA—At the start of the 2026 Major League Baseball offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers had nine arbitration-eligible players for the upcoming regular season.
However, since then, that number has dropped down to just four: Brusdar Graterol, Anthony Banda, Brock Stewart, and Alex Call.
The first players removed from the 40-man roster and the organization this fall who were arbitration-eligible were right-handed pitcher Tony Gonsolin and Michael Grove.
Gonsolin was DFA’d as the corresponding move for the addition of Max Muncy, who had his $10 million club option picked up, along with the addition of Ryan Ward and Robinson Ortiz to the 40-man roster.
Grove was outrighted off the 40-man roster and sent to the minor leagues, but since he had over three years of MLB experience, the right-hander refused the minor league assignment and became a free agent.
Gonsolin was projected to earn $5.4 million in arbitration, while Grove was projected for $800K, per MLB Trade Rumors.
The Dodgers avoided arbitration with left-hander Alex Vesia this offseason after the team opted to pick up his 1-year, $3.65 million club option for 2026.
Journeyman catcher Ben Rortvedt, who was in many ways an unsung hero in the final month of the season for Los Angeles, filling in for the injured Will Smith and Dalton Rushing through the National League Division Series, was signed to a 1-year, $1.25 million contract before being placed and claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds.
Most recently, the Dodgers opted not to non-tender veteran right-handed relief pitcher Evan Phillips, as he’s expected to miss most of the 2026 season.
MLB Trade Rumors had Phillips projected to earn around $6.1 million in arbitration, a number too big for the Dodgers, although both sides remain interested in a reunion.
So here are the remaining players left that are eligible for arbitration and their projected figures per MLB Trade Rumors:
- Brusdar Graterol (5.167): $2.8MM
- Anthony Banda (4.135): $1.7MM
- Brock Stewart (4.093): $1.4MM
- Alex Call (2.161): $1.5MM
Banda is entering arbitration for the second time in his career, and despite some early-season struggles, the lefty was able to finish with a modest 3.18 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in the Dodgers ’ bullpen.
However, for Call, this will be his first experience in arbitration, and he is doing so as a Super Two player. The right-handed-hitting outfielder was obtained at the 2025 trade deadline, played 38 games, and might be considered for the open outfield spot next season.
Graterol is entering arbitration for the third time in his career, but this comes after missing the full 2025 season due to right shoulder surgery in November 2024.
Initially, it was hoped that Graterol would return in the second half of this year, but his recovery stalled. Currently, there is optimism for his return in 2026.
Stewart was traded to the Dodgers at the 2025 deadline and is now eligible for arbitration. He was expected to address a key bullpen need but played only four games for the Dodgers.
Stewart underwent debridement of his right shoulder, but the Dodgers anticipate he will be available for most of the 2026 season.
The Dodgers have a good reputation among players for avoiding the arbitration hearing process, with their last hearings in the 2020 offseason involving Joc Pederson and Pedro Baez.
The arbitration deadline is January 9th, so teams and players must agree on a dollar amount or a new contract by then. If they do not, a three-person panel will decide the matter.
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