LOS ANGELES, CA — The Dodgers entered the season chasing a third straight World Series title. That was always going to be difficult.
Many of the issues that hurt them during the regular season followed them into October, especially an offense that struggled to deliver timely hits. The starting rotation carried the club for long stretches, but even that group appeared to feel the pressure of pitching with almost no room for error.
Now comes an offseason that could change the look of the roster. Nine Dodgers are headed for free agency, six more are eligible for arbitration and the organization has already acknowledged the need to work younger players into an aging lineup.
Some choices appear straightforward. Others will hurt.
The largest decision involves Tarik Skubal, who cost the Dodgers premium prospects at the trade deadline and helped make starting pitching the clear strength of the roster. Bringing him back would likely require another major contract for a team that already has a significant amount of money committed to its rotation.
Here is who I believe the Dodgers are likely to keep, who they may let leave and which players sit somewhere in between. Arbitration salary projections come from MLB Trade Rumors, as compiled by True Blue LA.
Dodgers free-agent predictionsTarik Skubal: Make a serious offer
Skubal headlines the Dodgers’ free-agent class, and the rotation would clearly be better with him. A full season of Skubal alongside Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow would give Los Angeles another rotation built for October.
Still, the Dodgers do not appear to be in a position where they have to win the bidding at any cost. Their existing starters give the front office the ability to set a limit, make an aggressive offer and walk away if another club pushes the contract far beyond that number. Skubal should be a priority. He should not consume the entire offseason.
Alex Vesia: Bring him back
This one looks fairly simple. Vesia has pitched in leverage, misses bats and gives Dave Roberts a left-handed reliever who can stay in the game against right-handed hitters.
His message after the season suggested some uncertainty about his future, and another club could always offer more than the Dodgers are comfortable paying. But if the terms are reasonable, Vesia appears to be the bullpen free agent they should work hardest to retain.
Evan Phillips: Bring him back with some protection
Phillips was uneven after returning from Tommy John surgery. That was not unusual. His command improved as the season continued, the slider began producing awkward swings again and Roberts said in August that Phillips appeared to be turning the corner.
A reunion likely makes sense if the medical reports are encouraging and the contract protects the Dodgers against the risk that naturally follows a recent elbow reconstruction. They know how effective Phillips can be. They also know the recovery may not move in a straight line.
Blake Treinen: Likely move on
Treinen’s seven-out performance in Game 5 of the 2024 World Series will always be part of Dodgers history. It also should not decide what happens next.
The combination of age, recent health concerns and the need to create opportunities for younger relievers suggests this may be the right time for both sides to move on. A short, low-risk reunion cannot be completely dismissed, but it does not appear to be the most likely outcome.
Brusdar Graterol: Likely move on
The arm still makes Graterol difficult to give up on. Availability remains the problem. He has spent too much time injured for the Dodgers to know what they can reasonably expect, and the club may decide that the 40-man roster spot is better used on a reliever with a clearer path through the season.
Kris Bubic: Do not make him a priority
Bubic gave the Dodgers another option after joining the team, although the current rotation makes his fit less obvious going into 2027. If his market falls and he is open to a short, team-friendly contract, the Dodgers could revisit the conversation. Otherwise, those innings will likely go elsewhere.
Eric Lauer: Move on
Lauer gave the Dodgers useful innings when injuries created openings. He did what they needed him to do. With the rotation in a different place now, Los Angeles will probably try to fill that role internally or look for a pitcher with more upside.
Kiké Hernández: The difficult goodbye
This decision will not be popular if the Dodgers make it. Hernández has been instrumental during this run, particularly in October, and his value inside the clubhouse is difficult to measure from the outside.
But the Dodgers had one of baseball’s oldest starting lineups, and their comments since the season ended suggest they understand that has to change. Creating legitimate opportunities for Alex Freeland, Hyeseong Kim and Josue De Paula may require moving on from a fan favorite. Unless another move creates a clear role, Hernández appears more likely to leave than return.
Miguel Rojas: Retired
There is no prediction required here. Rojas retired after 13 major-league seasons and is expected to remain with the organization in a player-development role.
Arbitration and non-tender predictions
The six arbitration-eligible Dodgers are projected to earn $12.9 million combined. Five of the decisions appear routine. The other is less about money than a place on the 40-man roster.
Andy Pages: Tender a contract
Pages is projected to make $4.9 million as a Super Two player. He established himself as an everyday outfielder and earned an All-Star start. Easy call.
Emmet Sheehan: Tender a contract
The $2.1 million projection is a reasonable price for a controllable starter who can miss bats. The Dodgers have learned repeatedly how quickly their rotation depth can disappear, which makes giving up Sheehan difficult to justify.
Brock Stewart: Tender a contract
Stewart’s injury history creates some risk. At a projected $1.8 million, it appears worth taking. He can handle hitters from both sides when healthy, and keeping him would prevent the bullpen from losing too much experienced depth at once.
Alex Call: Tender a contract
Call posted a .349 on-base percentage in 88 games and is projected to earn $1.9 million. His role may become smaller if De Paula receives a longer opportunity, but his defense, plate discipline and remaining minor-league options give the Dodgers useful flexibility. Tendering him would not guarantee an Opening Day roster spot. It would keep the depth in place.
Gavin Stone: Tender a contract
Stone is projected at $1.2 million. After waiting through his recovery, the Dodgers are unlikely to give up a controllable starting pitcher over that salary. He may begin camp behind several rotation candidates, but the depth is still valuable.
Jake Cousins: Non-tender
Cousins is projected at only $1 million, so the decision is not really about the salary. The Dodgers need space to protect prospects and evaluate younger relievers, and Cousins appears to be the most likely casualty. A return on a minor-league agreement could still be possible. A guaranteed 40-man spot feels less likely.
Skubal could shape everything that follows
The Dodgers are likely to explore reunions with Skubal, Vesia and Phillips while allowing several familiar names to reach the market. That would not mean those veterans failed. It would suggest the organization is finally acting on its need to get younger.
That change will require uncomfortable decisions. Hernández is the clearest example. The Dodgers cannot create real opportunities for younger players if every roster spot continues to go to someone who was part of the previous championship teams.
Skubal remains the move with the power to shift the entire plan. If he returns, less money may be available for the lineup and bullpen. If he leaves, the Dodgers still have a strong rotation and more room to address everything around it.
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