LOS ANGELES, CA – The Los Angeles Dodgers have executed a crucial phase of their offseason payroll management, dramatically narrowing their list of arbitration-eligible players to just four as the January deadline to exchange salary figures looms. This strategic trimming, following a wave of non-tenders and designations for assignment, signals the front office’s firm commitment to balancing immediate depth with massive, long-term championship aspirations.
The move, orchestrated by President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman, saw the Dodgers shed significant salaries tied to players recovering from major injuries or those deemed peripheral to their long-term plans.
The Strategic Roster Clean-Up
The Dodgers initially entered the offseason with a sizable group of arbitration-eligible players, many of whom faced complex decisions due to injuries. The final roster decisions have been swift and decisive:
| Player Status | Example/Key Transaction | Strategic Rationale |
| Non-Tendered | Evan Phillips (after Tommy John surgery), Nate Frasso | Shedding potentially high arbitration salaries for injured players who may not contribute until mid-season. |
| DFA/Waivers | Tony Gonsolin, Michael Grove, Ben Rortvedt | Clearing 40-man roster spots and removing players whose value had diminished due to injury or performance, creating maximum flexibility. |
The Final Four Arbitration Players
As of the current date, the Dodgers have reportedly committed to tendering contracts to a short list of just four arbitration-eligible players:
- Brusdar Graterol (RP): The high-velocity reliever is expected back from shoulder recovery and is a key late-inning piece.
- Alex Vesia (RP): The reliable left-handed specialist who successfully avoided arbitration last season.
- Anthony Banda (RP): Providing necessary bullpen depth on a relatively lower projected salary.
- Brock Stewart (RP): Another right-handed option for the bullpen, though his status was recently debated.
Impact: Maximizing Flexibility for the Winter War
By shedding non-essential or high-risk arbitration contracts, the Dodgers have two main strategic advantages:
- Payroll Control: The non-tenders helped clear the books of approximately $13 million to $15 million in projected salary, keeping their massive estimated 2026 payroll somewhat streamlined as they pursue the offseason’s biggest fish.
- 40-Man Space: The moves created crucial open slots on the 40-man roster, allowing the team to sign free agents like Kyle Tucker or Tatsuya Imai without immediately having to cut a player currently in their organization.
As the January deadline to exchange arbitration figures rapidly approaches, the Dodgers’ front office has signaled to the rest of the league that they have completed their internal restructuring and are now ready to fully pivot to the highly anticipated free-agent bidding wars.
