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The Los Angeles Dodgers had seven free agents leave the team at the conclusion of the 2025 season.
Some of them — Miguel Rojas and Kiké Hernandez — played pivotal roles in October.
Others — Michael Conforto and Kirby Yates — were offseason splash signings that didn’t pan out.
Then there was Michael Kopech, who struggled with injury this year; and Andrew Heaney, who didn’t make much of an impact after joining on a minor league deal late in the year.
And finally, there’s Clayton Kershaw, who’s riding off into the sunset as a three-time World Series champion.
With the Dodgers having seven players come off the books, here’s predictions on the contracts they could receive this offseason — plus insight on what the Dodgers should do with them.
Clayton Kershaw
Kershaw announced before the end of the season that he was retiring. He is very happy with his decision and won’t be back in 2026.
Contract prediction: N/A
Kiké Hernandez
Hernandez had a down year but continued to make an impact in the postseason. He plays a key role on the team as a clubhouse leader and October performer. He certainly wants to return, and LA should look to bring him back.
Contract prediction: one year, $7 million
Miguel Rojas
Rojas has made it known he wants to return to the Dodgers and retire after the 2026 season. His impact goes well beyond the field as a true clubhouse leader and incredible presence for everyone on the team. LA needs to bring him back on a one-year deal to finish out his career as he pleases.
Contract prediction: one year, $6 million
Michael Conforto
Conforto joined the Dodgers last offseason on a one-year, $17 million deal, hoping to reestablish his value and get a longer term deal this offseason. The opposite happened. Conforto will now need to take a one-year, prove-it deal, and it won’t be with the Dodgers.
Contract prediction: one year, $3.5 million
Kirby Yates
Yates joined the Dodgers last offseason as LA continued to build what they thought was a formidable bullpen. Little did they know his signing wouldn’t pay off much. Yates struggled in the regular season and didn’t make an appearance in the postseason. He’ll be 39 years old at the start of next season and won’t be back with the Dodgers.
Contract prediction: one year, $5 million
Michael Kopech
Kopech was looking like the closer of the future during the end of the 2024 season through the postseason. However, he couldn’t stay healthy in 2025, appearing in just 14 games and missing the entire postseason. He’ll need to reestablish his value this offseason, and it would make sense for LA to bring him back to do that.
Contract prediction: two years, $13.5 million with an opt-out
Andrew Heaney
Heaney joined the Dodgers on a minor league deal and made just one big league appearance at the end of the regular season. He’ll likely command more than a minor league deal, but it won’t be much more — and it’s unlikely to be with LA.
Contract prediction: one-year, $3 million
Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
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