The Dodgers’ offseason has already started to take shape, and one of the biggest questions centers on the bullpen. Los Angeles has nine total free agents, and four of them are relief pitchers, leaving the front office with plenty of decisions to make as it looks to reshape the roster.
At the top of that list is left-hander Alex Vesia. The 30-year-old just finished the final season of the $3.65 million deal he played under after the Dodgers picked up his club option last offseason. He has been a steady part of the bullpen since 2021, but his future in Los Angeles beyond this winter is still unresolved.
There is already a market projection for him. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel projected Vesia for a two-year, $25 million contract in free agency.
"Vesia peppers the top of the zone with his 90-94 mph fastball that has huge ride, created by his high arm slot, the most vertical arm slot in baseball," McDaniel wrote. "That unique combination of traits leads to odd angles and more whiffs than you'd expect, as well as pop-ups, but also a number of fly balls and walks. It all adds up to a setup-type reliever who should land a two- or even three-year deal."
Vesia backed up that profile with another strong season. He posted a 2.64 ERA in 72 appearances, going 3-1 with 74 strikeouts and a 1.07 WHIP over 58 innings.
Among the Dodgers’ free agents, Vesia ranks second behind left-hander Tarik Skubal. In his major league career, Vesia has appeared in 372 games and owns a 2.87 ERA, 443 strikeouts and a 1.11 WHIP. The Dodgers acquired him from the Miami Marlins before the 2021 season.
A California native, Vesia also played a role in the Dodgers’ World Series runs in 2024 and 2025. The expectation is that Los Angeles will try to keep him on a multiyear deal, with a projected range of $10 million to $13 million in average annual value on a two- or three-year contract depending on what he seeks.
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Kenley Jansens Next Team Could Put Him On The Verge Of History
Kenley Jansens next move is suddenly one of the more interesting bullpen stories of the offseason. After the Tigers declined their $12 million option for the 2027 season and settled on the $2 million buyout, the veteran closer is back on the market after spending 2026 in Detroit, where he continued to add to a career that has already put him among the most accomplished relievers of his era.
Now sitting at 498 career saves, Jansen is within striking distance of a milestone few pitchers ever reach. The hunt for his next team is about more than just another late-inning role, since wherever he lands will likely be the place where he tries to push himself into the 500-save club and further cement his place in history. [Read more 🡒]
Dodgers May Have A Cheaper Pitching Answer They Can't Wait On
The Dodgers have another pitching option on the board in Hiromi Itoh, the Japanese right-hander who has been posted by the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters and is now available as an international free agent. Itoh brings NPB experience and a 2023 World Baseball Classic rsum, and he has already emerged as a name of interest for a club that is always weighing ways to add depth without overcommitting at the top of the market.
What makes the situation tricky is the timing. Itoh is seen as a possible long reliever or back-end starter, with projections pointing to a two-year deal worth $18 million, but the Dodgers cannot sit on the idea for long because the posting process and MLB lockout-related rules leave only a narrow window to get something done. For a team that values pitching depth as much as Los Angeles does, the appeal is obvious, even if the clock is working against them. [Read more 🡒]
Dodgers Face One Lineup Decision That Could Reshape Their 2027 Offense
The Dodgers are heading toward another offseason with plenty of stability on paper, but one spot in the lineup is already drawing attention as the club looks ahead to 2027. Most of the regulars are still under contract, yet the possibility of Josue De Paula stepping into left field has become a real part of the conversation, especially with Teoscar Hernandez reportedly attracting trade interest from the Toronto Blue Jays.
For a team that has spent years balancing star power with long-term planning, that kind of move would be more than a routine shuffle. The rest of the order is expected to stay largely intact, but any change involving Hernandez would ripple through the roster picture and could open the door for more tweaks if the Dodgers decide to keep adjusting around the edges. [Read more 🡒]