FAQ: What to know about Dodgers' offseason
This story was excerpted from Juan Toribio's Dodgers Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers finally got their parade.
After winning the 2024 World Series, the Dodgers got to celebrate through the streets of Los Angeles for the first time since 1988. But now that the party has come to an end, the Dodgers shift their focus to the offseason.
Now, the challenge is to be the sport’s first repeat winner since the Yankees won three in a row from 1998-2000. Let’s take a look at what the winter will look like for L.A.:
What are the key dates?
Tuesday-Thursday: General Managers Meetings in San Antonio, Texas.
Nov. 19: The deadline for players to accept a qualifying offer is 1 p.m. PT, and the deadline to add players to the 40-man roster to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft is 3 p.m. PT.
Nov. 22: Tender deadline. By 5 p.m. PT on the Friday before Thanksgiving, teams must formally tender contracts to unsigned players for the following season, including their arbitration-eligible players. If a player is non-tendered, he becomes a free agent.
Dec. 9-11: Winter Meetings in Dallas, including the MLB Draft Lottery on Dec. 10 and the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 11.
Dec. 15: End of the 2024 international signing period.
Jan. 10, 2025: Eligible players and their teams exchange arbitration figures.
Jan. 15, 2025: Start of the new international signing period.
Which players are free agents?
Teoscar Hernández, Kiké Hernández, Jack Flaherty, Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, Blake Treinen and Joe Kelly.
Who is likely to be back?
Coming off a World Series title, the Dodgers will try to keep the group together as much as possible. Of course, this is a business and things will inevitably happen. Teoscar Hernández could return on a deal that makes sense for both sides. Same goes for Kiké Hernández and Buehler. Kershaw declined his player option on Monday, but the left-hander is expected back with the Dodgers next season.
Treinen will have interest from just about every team in the league, but the right-hander prefers to stay in Los Angeles. In other words, the Dodgers have an opportunity to bring back most of their players next season.
Which players received a qualifying offer, and what is the deadline to accept?
Teoscar Hernández was the only Dodgers player to receive a qualifying offer, and the outfielder will almost certainly decline it before the Nov. 19 deadline.
Which players have an option, and what’s the dollar figure and impact on payroll?
The Dodgers already picked up their club option on Miguel Rojas and Austin Barnes. Kershaw had a $10 million player option, but he declined that on Monday. Both sides are still expected to come to an agreement this winter.
Who might be a non-tender candidate, and when does the club have to make that decision?
Connor Brogdon and Zach Logue are pretty clear-cut non-tender options. Brent Honeywell is also a candidate, which would clear up a 40-man spot. The Dodgers have until Nov. 22 to make those decisions.
What kind of help do they need and will they be active in free agency? Who might they target? Who might they be willing to trade?
The Dodgers don’t need much to stay at the top of the league, but they could use some top-end rotation reinforcements. L.A. didn’t get much starting pitching help throughout the postseason, relying on its bullpen most of the way. With some injury uncertainties next season, the Dodgers will be looking to add.
Blake Snell is someone the team pursued last spring and would make a lot of sense on a multiyear deal. Snell would slot in at the top of the rotation, giving the Dodgers a proven October option. Max Fried and Corbin Burnes are also possibilities.
If the Dodgers don’t bring Teoscar Hernández back, getting outfield help will also be a priority. Andy Pages showed promising signs down the stretch and will be in the mix. At shortstop, the Dodgers have Tommy Edman and Rojas, but they could still upgrade at the position with someone like Willy Adames. That would slide Edman to center field and would make Rojas a utility piece or a trade candidate.
As for the trade market, it’s still too early to determine what that will look like. Right-hander Devin Williams will be a popular name floated as a potential target, and the Dodgers would surely be involved at the right price. If they can’t get starting pitching through the free-agent market, the Dodgers could always try to acquire someone via trade. Left-handers Garrett Crochet and Jesús Luzardo could be options.