The Dodgers’ offseason opened with a familiar move: bringing back a veteran utility man for another run in the organization.
He had already bounced around plenty this year. He began the 2026 season with the San Francisco Giants, got dealt to the Toronto Blue Jays organization in April, and then landed back with Los Angeles before May. Once he arrived in Triple-A Oklahoma City, he hit .293 with a .998 OPS before an injury ended his season in June.
There’s also a fresh wrinkle in the Aaron Bates story. The former Dodgers hitting coach addressed his abrupt departure and said he was basically pushed out, while still making clear he holds the organization in high regard as he searches for his next job.
“Processing it, I think that there’s always a time and a place, and I think that things run their course,” Bates said. “But I have nothing but amazing things to say about the Dodgers organization and people.”
The most encouraging update, though, centers on Josue De Paula.
De Paula put together a huge Double-A season, batting .303 with 27 home runs and 104 RBIs in 124 games. The Dodgers then called him up in September for his MLB debut even though he had never played at Triple-A. He announced himself fast, launching a three-run homer for his first big-league hit, and finished the regular season hitting .323 with a 1.081 OPS in 11 games.
His defense remains the key piece. During the postseason, it was tough to find a spot for his bat because he had no defensive experience above Double-A. He should get work this offseason, but an MLB lockout would keep him from working with Dodgers coaches or using team facilities.
Still, a team insider says De Paula is expected to work with a Gold Glove award winning outfielder this offseason no matter what happens with a lockout, or how long it lasts. According to Dylan Hernández, De Paula plans to work with former MLB outfielder Alex Ochoa at Scott Boras’ training facility in Miami, and Boras also expects Jackie Bradley Jr. to help.
In Other News...
Dodgers May Regret Letting This Trade Asset Lose Its Value
The Dodgers season ended in disappointment against the Brewers in the 2026 National League Championship Series, and the fallout is already turning to the roster decisions that helped shape the year. Even after the club swung big by landing Tarik Skubal before the trade deadline, Los Angeles still fell short of a three-peat, leaving the front office to sort through which pieces actually moved the needle and which ones quietly lost ground along the way.
Alex Call is one of the more interesting names in that conversation. He was not moved at the deadline, but his role faded as the year went on, and he was left off the postseason roster entirely. Now the Dodgers have a looming November 20 non-tender deadline to consider, and if they pass on him, he would hit free agency with no return coming back to Los Angeles. [Read more 🡒]
Dodgers Face A High-Stakes Race For An Ace This Offseason
Tarik Skubal is shaping up to be one of the biggest names on the pitching market this offseason, and the Dodgers are already being linked as a serious suitor. With the Cubs and Mets also in the mix, the race for the left-hander looks like it could turn into one of the defining bidding wars of the winter, especially for a Los Angeles club that is never shy about chasing elite talent.
The price tag is expected to be enormous, with projections landing in the $300 million to $400 million range, which would put any pursuit under a bright spotlight. Timing may matter just as much as money, though, because the looming MLB lockout and possible changes to the collective bargaining agreement could shape when teams move and how aggressively they try to close a deal. [Read more 🡒]
Dodgers Suddenly Have A Utility Infield Battle Worth Watching
The Dodgers first official free-agent move of the offseason came quietly, but it may end up mattering more than it first looked. Tyler Fitzgerald signed a minor league contract after being acquired from the Blue Jays in a trade, and his ability to handle multiple positions in Triple-A last year gives Los Angeles another flexible option as it sorts through its infield depth.
Miguel Rojass retirement has already opened one lane on the roster, and Kike Hernandezs free-agent status leaves another spot worth monitoring. Fitzgerald is now part of that conversation, giving the Dodgers a utility name to track as they piece together the bench and decide how much versatility they want to carry into the season. [Read more 🡒]