The Dodgers won back-to-back World Series. They didn’t lose any major contributors in free agency, so they’ll enter the winter with a very strong roster and the ability to further strengthen it.
guarantee contract
- Shohei OhtaniRHP/DH: $560MM by 2033 ($68MM annual deferred salary)
- Yoshinobu YamamotoRHP: $260 through 2035 (deal includes multiple opt-out opportunities, starting in 2029 or whichever season he is traded)
- Mookie BatesSS: 235MM by 2032 (including 40MM signing bonus not yet paid; 10MM salary deferred annually in 2026-27, 11MM salary deferred annually in 2028-32)
- Blake SnellLHP: $104MM through 2029 ($13.2MM in annual deferred salary; deal includes conditional club option for 2030)
- will smithC: $83.45MM by 2033 ($5MM salary deferred annually)
- Tyler GlasnowRHP: $81.5625MM through 2028 ($21.5625MM player option or $30MM club option in 2028)
- Tanner ScottLHP: $56MM through 2028 (includes $15MM signing bonus yet to be paid; $5.25MM annual deferred salary; deal includes 2029 conditional option)
- freddie freeman1B: $54MM by 2027 ($12MM deferred annually)
- Tommy EdelmanIF/OF: 52MM by 2029 (including 3MM buyout of 13MM club option in 2030; 6.25MM annual deferred salary)
- Teoscar HernandezOF: $33MM by 2027 (includes $6.5MM buyout of $15MM club options; deal also includes 2029 conditional options; deferred salary of $8MM per year)
- Blake TreninRHP: $13.5MM by 2026 (including $2.5MM signing bonus not yet paid)
- Kim Hye SungIF/OF: $9MM through 2027 (including $1.5MM buyout with $10MM two-year club option in 2028-29)
Other financial commitments
option decision
- Team has $10MM club option on 3B Max Muncy no buyout
- Team has $3.65MM in club options on LHP Alex Vecia $50,000 buyout (even if option is declined, Vesia will remain in control through arbitration)
2026 Guaranteed (assuming both options selected): $283.15MM ($127.7MM deferred)
Total future commitments: $1.559 billion ($792.55MM deferred)
Arbitration-eligible players (service time in parentheses; projected salary provided by MLBTR writer Matt Swartz)
Non-tender candidates: Graterol, Gonsolin, Phillips, Banda, Stewart, Rortvedt, Grove
free agent
The Dodgers have a strong willingness to bet on talent and aren’t too worried about injuries. This is partly due to their virtually unlimited budget, which allows them to take risks that other clubs may not be able to take. It’s also because their roster is so good that it’s almost guaranteed to make the playoffs every year, which gives them wiggle room to get players healthy instead of rushing them back during the regular season.
This led to some inconsistency in how things ended come October. In 2023, they were swept out of the ALDS by the Diamondbacks. In 2024, the Dodgers have just enough of a rotation to win a championship. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty and Walker Buehler They are three traditional starters as the club relies heavily on the bullpen. In 2025, the situation has reversed. The bullpen was decimated by injuries, but the rotation featured Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell and Shohei Ohtani Everything is healthy. Manager Dave Roberts tries to avoid his traditional relievers as much as possible. He often puts starters deep into games. In Game 7 of the World Series, he used Ohtani, Glasnow, Snell and Yamamoto.
It’s no surprise that the Dodgers are aiming to add pitching heading into 2026, but the rotation is actually in good shape. All four starters they used in this year’s playoffs are healthy and under contract. Sasaki Riki He was sent to the bullpen with a shoulder injury, but he could be injured again next year. guys like Emmett Sheehan, Jack Dreher, Ben Casparis, Landon Nack, Bobby Miller and Justin Wrobleski He’s a starter and reliever in 2025 and could start again next year. every Kyle Hurt, Ruian River and Gavin Stone Returning from surgery in 2025, but should be a factor next year. best prospect Jackson Ferris He has now played 33 games in Double-A and should be in Triple-A next year.
Nick Frasso He ended 2025 injured and his current status is unknown. Tony Gonsolin Due to the stent surgery he underwent, he will likely not be tendered and will miss at least the first half of 2026, although the Dodgers have the ability to pay him and hope to return at the end of the season if they wish. Michael Grove He missed all of 2025 due to shoulder surgery and is also likely to be off the tender, though he could still be in control for three more seasons.
Regardless of the outcome, this is an impressive collection of talent, even if Clayton Kershaw Retired. The club has been very aggressive in adding pitching staff in recent offseasons. After the aforementioned rough ending in 2023, they added Ohtani. However, they didn’t immediately upgrade to the staff as he was recovering from surgery at the time, so they also added Glasnow and Yamamoto. Coming into this year, they signed Snell.
With depth suddenly becoming overwhelming, the Dodgers may not be as aggressive in the free agent starting pitching market. In fact, there are so many names on the chart that they may trade away some, although they could also choose to hold on and have enough depth on hand to deal with the inevitable damage.
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