Dodgers News: Miguel Rojas and Kiké Hernández Headline Dodgers 2026 Free Agent Class
The offseason is underway, and the Dodgers have several players hitting the free-agent market.
LOS ANGELES, CA—While the Los Angeles Dodgers return back home to celebrate their ninth World Series title, they’ll have six players hit the free agent market after the conclusion of the festivities.
Technically, those players are free agents right now, but they can only negotiate with the Dodgers between the end of the World Series and five days after, before being free to seek a contract with another Major League team.
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 five 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.
This list can grow by two players as the Dodgers still have to decide on two club options on veteran third baseman Max Muncy ($10 million) and left-handed pitcher Alex Vesia ($3.6 million), but it’s a near certainty that both players’ options will be exercised.
Have you subscribed to the Bleed Los Podcast YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows & promotions, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
