ONE LAST RIDE: Miguel Rojas Hopes to Return to Dodgers for Final Season After World Series Heroics.vc

(LOS ANGELES) — The decision for the Los Angeles Dodgers to bring back veteran infielder Miguel Rojas for the 2026 season should be the easiest of the winter. After playing a starring role in the club’s second consecutive World Series title, the 36-year-old free agent has made it clear: he wants to close out his career in Dodger Blue.

Rojas, who emerged as a critical defensive and emotional force throughout October, has publicly stated his intention to retire after the 2026 season. Now, the question is whether the Dodgers can count on their clubhouse leader to return for one final, highly valuable season.

The Historic Game 7 Heroics

While Rojas has been a steady utility player throughout his career, he etched his name into Dodgers lore in the 2025 World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays.

• The Clutch Shot: In the winner-take-all Game 7, with the Dodgers trailing by one run in the top of the ninth inning and facing elimination, Rojas delivered a historic game-tying solo home run off the Blue Jays’ elite closer, extending the game and saving the season.
• The Defensive Masterpiece: Minutes later, in the bottom of the ninth, he made a remarkable defensive stop at second base on a bouncing ground ball, firing the ball home to cut down the winning run, leading to the Dodgers’ eventual extra-innings victory.

Manager Dave Roberts has often praised Rojas’s “managerial instincts” and leadership, frequently allowing him to address the clubhouse. His performance in the Fall Classic was the ultimate display of his value: clutch defense and veteran poise when the team needed it most.

The Perfect Fit for 2026

The Dodgers are highly likely to accommodate Rojas’s wish to retire as a Dodger. Insider projections suggest the team will re-sign him to a one-year deal in the $5-7 million range.

• Clubhouse Necessity: Rojas is viewed as an essential stabilizing presence in a locker room full of superstars and young prospects, including new utility pieces like Hyeseong Kim.
• Defensive Insurance: His positional flexibility (able to play all four infield positions at a high level) and defensive metrics provide invaluable insurance for the aging middle infield core of Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Max Muncy.

The combination of Rojas’s clear intent and the Dodgers’ need for his specific blend of leadership and defensive utility makes his return to the club for a “one last ride” a near certainty as they pursue an unprecedented three-peat.