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Following the Milwaukee Brewers’ World Series victory, the Los Angeles Dodgers and baseball operations president Andrew Friedman are turning their focus to a crucial offseason. After missing out on a historic third consecutive championship title, the organization faces significant roster decisions alongside broader league uncertainty.
Ownership and League Bargaining Uncertainty
Despite ongoing federal investigations regarding Dodgers owner Mark Walter, which resulted in the sale of several Guggenheim holdings including Chelsea FC and the Los Angeles Lakers, Friedman indicated that operational resources remain untouched. “It’s been business as usual for us,” Friedman said at the Dodgers’ end of year press conference.
Friedman emphasized that the front office plans to remain aggressive ahead of 2027. “It’s about us being as prepared as we can be, depending on what opportunities pop up and when, to be able to pounce,” he said. “But we feel good about our jumping off point of where we are.”
The wider Major League Baseball landscape also faces looming disruptions, as the collective bargaining agreement expires on Dec. 1. Negotiations between the league and the MLB Players Association remain stalled over team owners pushing for a salary cap, making a lockout likely. Carrying a luxury tax payroll reaching $384.7 million, the Dodgers stand as one of the clubs most impacted should salary caps be implemented in 2027.
Key Free Agents and Pitching Options
The Dodgers enter the winter with eight players scheduled for free agency, excluding recently retired veteran Miguel Rojas. Relievers Alex Vesia, Kiké Hernández, Evan Phillips, and Blake Treinen headline the list of long-time contributors entering the market, joined by Kris Bubic, Brusdar Graterol, and Eric Lauer.
The most prominent free agent on the market is left-handed pitcher Tarik Skubal, whom the Dodgers acquired from the Detroit Tigers at the trade deadline. The back-to-back Cy Young Award winner is expected to command one of the largest pitching contracts in league history. “I can’t say enough good things about the impact he made in such a short period of time,” Friedman said, acknowledging that Skubal has earned the right to select his next team after LA previously let rental stars like Yu Darvish, Max Scherzer, and Manny Machado walk in free agency.
Other top pitchers available in free agency include Freddy Peralta, Michael King, and potentially Sonny Gray if the Boston Red Sox decline his $30 million option. Notable position players on the market include Jazz Chisholm Jr., Luis Arraez, Randy Arozarena, and Seiya Suzuki, though none represent immediate matches for the Dodgers’ lineup.
Trade Possibilities and Prospect Depth
The front office must also determine the role of 21-year-old prospect Josue De Paula, who impressed in a two-week major league stint filling in for Shohei Ohtani at designated hitter before earning a postseason bench spot. While De Paula displayed strong plate discipline, his defensive play remains an area for development. “We’ve all seen what he’s capable of in the box, which is incredibly exciting,” general manager Brandon Gomes said, noting that defensive progress this winter could earn him a greater role.
A defensive step forward for De Paula could prompt the club to consider trading outfielder Teoscar Hernández as he enters the final year of his contract. Additionally, the Dodgers could trade from their deep farm system, where four of their MLB Pipeline Top 100 prospects—De Paula, Eduardo Quintero, Mike Sirota, and Charles Davalan—are all outfielders.
Friedman expressed confidence that the wave of minor league talent will allow the organization to restock its major league roster without experiencing a steep decline in performance.
