Table of Content
The Los Angeles Dodgers are facing a potential sweep in the World Series after being outplayed by the Milwaukee Brewers in four games. Following an underperforming postseason where the team hit just .195 as a unit, the organization is looking toward a necessary roster transition for the 2027 season.
Roster Crunch and Prospect Integration
With a wave of talented minor-leaguers needing protection from the Rule 5 draft, the front office faces difficult decisions regarding roster spots. Players like Josue De Paula, Christian Zazueta, Jackson Ferris, Noah Miller, Jake Gelof, and Adam Serwinoski will likely require 40-man roster spots this year. Additional prospects such as James Tibbs III, Zack Ehrhard, Mike Sirota, and Eduardo Quintero will need protection at the end of 2027.
The Dodgers also have six players returning from the 60-day injured list, including Ben Casparius, Will Klein, and Seth Halvorsen, adding to the impending roster congestion. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has previously warned about the risks of rushing prospects and potentially missing the playoffs, but holding onto an aging core for too long carries its own risks of diminishing returns.
Free Agent Forecast and Departures
The Dodgers’ pending free agents will not receive a qualifying offer this year. Pitcher Tarik Skubal, who posted a 2.72 ERA with 186 strikeouts over 158.2 innings in 2026 after returning from midseason elbow surgery, is expected to attract massive interest on the open market, with a likely destination in New York. Meanwhile, veteran Miguel Rojas has already announced his retirement.
Other departing free agents include Kris Bubic, Eric Lauer, Blake Treinen, and Brusdar Graterol. Treinen is entering his age-39 season following a shoulder injury, while Graterol has struggled to stay healthy, pitching in only seven regular-season games since 2024. Relief pitchers Alex Vesia and Evan Phillips are also likely to test the market, though retaining them remains a priority if possible.
Arbitration Eligible Players and Special Considerations
The Dodgers have six players eligible for arbitration, including Brock Stewart, Emmet Sheehan, Andy Pages, Jake Cousins, and Alex Call. Cousins and Call are expected to be non-tendered to clear 40-man roster space for younger prospects.
Teoscar Hernandez enters the final year of his contract with a club option for 2028 that is unlikely to be exercised, making him a potential trade candidate this winter as the team seeks to get younger in the outfield. Additionally, pitcher Landon Knack is out of minor league options, which could force a trade or designation for assignment before the offseason lockout begins.
The organization’s strategy mirrors the approach taken ahead of the 2021 lockout, when the team added several minor-leaguers to protect them from the Rule 5 draft. As the front office navigates these contract decisions and prospect promotions, the upcoming offseason will signal the start of a new chapter for the franchise.
