“I’ll Play With You Next Year For Sure”: Miguel Rojas Announces Retirement After 2026 Season
LOS ANGELES, CA — The emotional high of the Los Angeles Dodgers securing a dramatic back-to-back World Series championship was quickly followed by a heartfelt announcement from one of their unlikeliest heroes. Utility infielder Miguel Rojas, whose game-tying home run in the ninth inning of Game 7 sparked the legendary comeback, has publicly stated that 2026 will be his final season in Major League Baseball.
The 36-year-old free agent, whose performance became the defining clutch moment of the Fall Classic, is prioritizing loyalty and a final championship push over a lucrative contract.
The Game 7 Heroics and Ohtani’s Plea
Rojas, who spent much of the season providing defense and clubhouse leadership, stepped up in the top of the ninth inning of World Series Game 7 against the Blue Jays. Trailing 4-3, Rojas launched a home run off closer Jeff Hoffman to tie the game, preserving the Dodgers’ hopes and sending the contest to extra innings, where they eventually won 5-4.
In the euphoric aftermath, Rojas had a conversation with superstar teammate Shohei Ohtani that instantly went viral:
“I’m by the bat rack like laying my helmet, and Shohei came to me and say ‘Miggy, you can’t retire next year. You’re playing with me for ten more years.’” Rojas revealed.
Rojas’s response: “Shohei, I’m old, and I don’t know if I can play for 10 more years, but I’ll play with you next year for sure.”
The Final Contract: Core Over Cash
Now an unrestricted free agent, Rojas has made it clear that his final contract is not about money, but about finishing his career in Dodger blue alongside his teammates.
- The Intent: Rojas told reporters, “I want to go back and play for the Dodgers. I think we deserve a chance to three-peat together. I think we deserve an opportunity to run it back.”
- Money Doesn’t Matter: He emphasized, “It is not about me getting money or getting the right deal or anything like that. It is about keeping the core together for one more year and giving us the opportunity to three-peat.”
- Projected Deal: Given his age (he turns 37 before the 2026 season) and clear desire, analysts widely expect the Dodgers to bring him back on a cheap one-year contract in the $5 million range to serve as a versatile bench piece and a crucial clubhouse leader for his 13th and final MLB season.
Rojas’s decision allows the Dodgers to secure a veteran presence who is universally liked in the clubhouse and delivered one of the biggest clutch moments in franchise history, all while maintaining financial flexibility. The team will undoubtedly miss his “unsung hero” qualities when he officially retires after the 2026 season.
Miguel Rojas is expected to sign a low-cost, one-year deal with the Dodgers. If the team is prioritizing an emotional return for Rojas, they may have to make a tough call on another impending utility free agent. What is the latest contract speculation regarding fellow utility infielder Kiké Hernández?
