Cody Snavely
The Dodgers had ten eligible players for arbitration this offseason for the upcoming season. Suppose you are not familiar with the arbitration process. In that case, it goes as follows: Every offseason, players with between three and six years of MLB service time are eligible for arbitration — a process wherein teams and players each present a salary number for the upcoming season and then argue for it in front of a panel of arbitrators.
Will Smith (ARB2) $9.7 million (8.55 million)
Since his call-up in 2019, Will Smith has leaped many catchers in baseball and finally made his first All-Star team in 2023. A scorching hot first half that helped carry a Dodgers offense through April and May when the team was devastated by the injury bug truly showcased Smith’s value. However, a concussion and rib injury noticeably affected his play in the second half. However, Smith still put together a great season, hitting for a slash line of .261/.359/.438, an OPS of .797, and an OPS+ of 114. Smith was ranked number two on MLB.com for best catchers in the MLB behind Orioles star Adley Rutschman.
Walker Buehler (ARB4) $8.025 million ($8.025 million)
Perhaps the most interesting player entering the arbitration process this winter is Dodgers ace Walker Buehler. Buehler has missed the last year and a half due to his second career Tommy John Surgery. However, when healthy, Buehler was one of the best pitchers in the league, and his postseason numbers made him an arm the Dodgers sorely missed the past two seasons. In 2021, Buehler’s last full season, he went 16-4 with a 2.47 ERA and a career-best ERA+ at 171 and finished fourth in Cy Young Award voting.
What makes Buehler’s case so interesting is that the Dodgers plan to delay his start and limit his innings. However, here on DodgersBeat, I have also argued it may be in the interest of both parties to come to an extension soon. Buehler, a free agent at the end of 2024, will likely test free agency and, if all goes well this season, could get a multi-year deal from many clubs. But for 2024, the Dodgers and Buehler settled at $8.025 million.
Ryan Yarbrough (ARB3) $4 million ($3.9 million)
One arm that will prove to be a pivotal piece in the Dodgers pitching staff in 2024 is left-handed hybrid pitcher Ryan Yarbrough. The former American League starter was acquired by the Dodgers at the 2023 trade deadline and proved to be an under-the-radar move that helped give innings to a Dodgers pitching staff decimated with injuries.
Yarbrough pitched 38.2 innings for the Dodgers last season, posting a 4.89 ERA and 38 strikeouts. The Dodgers and Yarbrough settled at $3.9 million, and we can pencil him in as the lengthy relief option that will get the occasional spot start to eat innings, which is not a bad thing to have for the Dodgers.
Evan Phillips (ARB2) $3.7 million ($4 million)
The Dodgers took a chance on Evan Phillips back in 2021 after claiming him off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays. Since the Dodgers acquired Phillips, he has been the backbone of the Dodgers bullpen. As a Dodger, Phillips has gone 10-8 with an ERA of 1.87, 152 strikeouts, and 25 saves in 133 appearances. Phillips, primarily used as the high-leverage option, shifted to a closer role in 2023 and had another great season. While the Dodgers have been interested in the closer market, names such as Emmanuel Clase and Josh Hader Phillips will undoubtedly be a huge part of the Dodgers bullpen in 2024 and he settled with the Dodgers for $4 million.
Dustin May (ARB2) $3 million ($2.135 million)
If you’re a Marvel and Disney Plus fan, a new show called What If… is an excellent segue into Dustin May. His career up to this point has been a colossal what-if. The flamethrower right-handed starter has been injured the past three seasons, pitching a combined 101 innings since the end of 2020. May will likely miss most of 2024 as he recovers from a Flexor Tendon Surgery. However, the Dodgers hope a bullpen role will be better suited for his body if he can come back. The Dodgers and May settled at $2.135 million.
Brusdar Graterol (ARB2) $2.9 million ($2.7 million)
The Dodgers’ best bullpen arm in 2023 may have been Brusdar Graterol. The flame-throwing energetic righty put together his best season of his career in 2023, posting a 1.20 ERA over 67.1 innings. While Graterol put together a great season, one area that still concerns me is his lack of ability to strike guys out. Graterol throws fast and has a nasty sinker in his pitch mix but as a Dodger, he has never gotten close to that 9.3 K/9 he had with the Twins in 2019. While he may not have a proper put away pitch, Graterol hops to continue taking the next step in his major league career.
Caleb Ferguson (ARB3) $2.5 million ($2.4 million)
As the roster currently stands, Caleb Ferguson is one of three left-handed relief options in the Dodgers bullpen. Ferguson had a respectable 3.43 ERA in 60.1 innings pitched last year, but his 3.4 BB/9 is concerning for someone in a bullpen role. Ferguson, like Yarbrough, is a potential name that could get a bulk of innings, whether as an opener or later in the game, which proves to be valuable in a 162-game season. The Dodgers and Ferguson settled at $2.4 million.
Gavin Lux (ARB1) $2 million ($1.225 million)
Gavin Lux was set to take a giant leap forward in his career last season. With the departure of Corey Seager and Trea Turner in back-to-back offseasons, it was now Lux’s time to take a crack at the position. However, as we all know, a baserunning injury led to Lux injuring his MCL and ACL, ending his 2023 campaign.
Lux looks to get another crack at the position in 2024. If all goes well, getting him for under $2 million is a steal. Lux showed significant progress in 2022 until a neck injury caused his numbers to drop. However, he still put together a solid year, hitting .276 with an OPS+ of 109.
J.P. Feyereisen (ARB1) $1 million ($770 thousand)
There is not much to say on J.P. Feyereisen, as he missed all of 2023 due to injury. Like other bullpen arms the Dodgers brought back, such as Blake Treinen and Daniel Hudson, getting a former elite bullpen arm under one million dollars is a deal you make every time. In his career, Feyereisen has posted a 2.31 ERA in 89.2 innings, and if he can come back, expect great things from him.
Alex Vesia (ARB1) $1 million *estimated*
Lastly is Dodgers left-handed relief pitcher Alex Vesia, who struggled much of the 2023 season. Vesia was another pitcher the Dodgers found in the scrap bin. The Dodgers took a chance on Vesia after he posted an ERA over 18.00 and turned around his career. During the 2021 and 2022 seasons, Vesia posted a collective ERA under 2.50, but those numbers ballooned in 2023. The Dodgers are hoping for Vesia to get back on track as he gets an estimated $1 million in his first year of arbitration.
