Dodgers Face a World Series offseason With Eight Free Agents
The Milwaukee Brewers have won the World Series, officially bringing an end to the 2026 season. As the 2026-27 offseason has begun, the Los Angeles Dodgers are now navigating a free agency landscape that includes eight players on the open market.
That number rises to nine when Miguel Rojas is included, because the veteran infielder retired and later joined the organization in a player development role. For the Dodgers, the coming weeks could shape the bullpen, the starting rotation and the bench of a team that just watched baseball’s biggest prize slip away.
The End of the 2026 Season and the Start of a New Offseason
The Brewers’ World Series victory closed out a dramatic 2026 season and moved the Los Angeles Dodgers into an offseason defined by uncertainty. The Dodgers’ postseason run ended, and with the start of the 2026-27 campaign approaching, the front office must reset its priorities.
The first major question is simple: which of the eight departing Dodgers are worth keeping, which can be replaced and which will command premium prices? The answers will depend on the organization’s payroll, financial constraints and the evolving performance of players who have been central to Los Angeles’s recent championship picture.
Tarik Skubal Leads a Pack of Eight Dodgers Gone Free
Tarik Skubal, Starting Pitcher
Tarik Skubal is by far the best free agent on the market, and he could command a contract north of $400 million. The Dodgers are expected to be in the Skubal sweepstakes, but it is currently unclear how much they would be willing to spend with an already inflated payroll and potential salary restrictions looming.
Skubal is widely expected to sign before Dec. 1 as that would allow him to maximize his earnings before the lockout. Every team with money to spend will likely be interested in the soon-to-be 30-year-old.
Alex Vesia, Relief Pitcher
Vesia is arguably the Dodgers’ most important free agent considering his role in the team’s bullpen over the last six years. The left-hander should command a multi-year contract in free agency, and will likely have a strong market.
It would make sense for the Dodgers to bring him back.
Kris Bubic, Starting Pitcher
The Dodgers took a flier on Bubic, acquiring him from the Kansas City Royals before the trade deadline. He ended up pitching out of the bullpen at the end of the regular season and into the postseason.
Now, he’ll hit the open market as a starting pitcher, where he should garner plenty of interest as a 29-year-old who was an All-Star in 2025.
Eric Lauer, Starting Pitcher
Lauer played a critical role for the Dodgers after being acquired in May. However, he ended up struggling late in the year before going on the injured list with an elbow injury.
Lauer still was able to resurrect his career in LA and should net a multi-year deal because of it.
Kik Hernandez, Utility Player
Hernandez, 35, struggled in 2026 due to injuries and inconsistency. The fan favorite could return for another season. He also could retire.
However, after the team’s postseason elimination, he sounded like someone who wants to return for another season – whether it be with the Dodgers or another winning team.
Evan Phillips, Relief Pitcher
Phillips has played a critical role in the Dodgers bullpen each of the last six years. At 32 years old, he should get a decent amount of money as a middle reliever or setup man.
Blake Treinen, Relief Pitcher
Treinen has been with the Dodgers since 2020, helping them win three World Series. However, he’s struggled with injuries over the last few years and turns 39 in June.
It’s possible he retires this offseason, but he hasn’t made any official declaration yet.
Brusdar Graterol, Relief Pitcher
Graterol hasn’t pitched since 2024 as he’s dealt with a multitude of injuries. He underwent back surgery earlier this year, and it’s currently unclear when he’ll be able to return.
Graterol is still just 28 years old and could be a candidate to sign a minor league contract until he proves he’s healthy enough to pitch.
What the Free Agency Market Could Mean for the Dodgers
The Dodgers have several distinct needs. A generational ace like Skubal represents the kind of prize that can shift an entire franchise, while bullpen arms such as Vesia and Phillips offer cost-controlled or re-signable talent depending on the contracts they receive.
Bubic and Lauer both represent starting pitching upside, but their injury histories and recent workloads make them riskier bets. Hernandez and Graterol bring positional or depth options, though Hernandez’s future remains uncertain and Graterol must prove he is fully healthy.
Treinen remains a high-leverage piece from the past, but his age and injury history limit what the Dodgers might realistically offer.
Looking Ahead to the 2026-27 Offseason
The Dodgers now face a critical offseason with championship expectations still high. The decisions made before the next season could determine whether Los Angeles remains a contender or slips into a rebuild around a new core.
With Skubal at the center of the market and the rest of the free agent group providing options, the Dodgers must balance financial pressure, roster needs and long-term planning. The coming weeks will be busy, emotional and consequential for a franchise chasing another World Series title.
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