The back-to-back World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers are aiming to become the first team to three-peat since the Yankees did it from 1998–2000. With history in sight, the Dodgers entered the offseason focused on fixing their biggest weaknesses: the outfield and bullpen. They didn’t make a high volume of moves, but they landed two of the best players available at those positions, making major splashes where it mattered most.
Signing
First, let’s start with the familiar faces. The Dodgers re-signed reliever Evan Phillips, who only had seven appearances in 2025 due to an injury that ultimately required Tommy John surgery. He signed a one-year deal for $6.5 million. Infielder and Game 7 hero Miguel Rojas, who is set to retire after this year, re-signed for one more year at $5.5 million. Lastly, fan favorite and the new “Mr. October,” Kiké Hernández re-signed for $4.5 million.
Now for the two big splashes. First, the Dodgers signed closer Edwin Díaz, who last year for the New York Mets earned 28 saves and pitched to a 1.63 ERA. Díaz earned Reliever of the Year honors, marking his third time achieving that award. He has a high strikeout rate, using his high velocity and devastating slider; his strikeout rate is consistently above 40%. The Dodgers had 26 blown saves last year, leading the league, and Tanner Scott — who signed a four-year contract with the Dodgers last year — was very underwhelming, blowing 10 of those saves. This move hopefully gives the Dodgers the security at the end of games that they desperately needed.
Now the even bigger splash: the Dodgers signed outfielder Kyle Tucker to a four-year, $240 million deal with opt-outs after years two and three. The Dodgers’ outfield was a little imbalanced. Teoscar Hernández, the starting right fielder, brought a great bat to the lineup — especially in the playoffs — but his defense was very lackluster. Meanwhile, center fielder Andy Pages was great defensively and had a good bat during the regular season but set career lows offensively in the playoffs. Left field was always a revolving door, but now Kyle Tucker solves all of that. He is pretty much a complete five-tool player with speed, fielding ability, power, contact, and arm strength. Tucker has been an All-Star for four straight seasons and won a Gold Glove in 2022. Although his defense has declined slightly since then, it is still a solid part of his game. Tucker has hit 20–30 home runs every year since 2021 and has also been in that range for stolen bases, except for 2024 when he only had 11. He is no stranger to the postseason either, winning with the Houston Astros in 2022 and hitting .233 with nine home runs across 72 games. Those numbers don’t jump off the
page, but playoff numbers tend to be lower. Kyle Tucker will be the starting right fielder, with Pages staying in center and Hernández moving over to left.
Outlook
Aside from the two major additions, the Dodgers are largely running it back in 2026. The biggest change is the retirement of franchise legend Clayton Kershaw. A few other players departed, but none who dramatically alter the core of this roster. This team’s success will once again hinge less on talent and more on health.
Injuries are the biggest concern entering the season. Kiké Hernández is recovering from left elbow surgery and isn’t expected back until late May or June. Tommy Edman is rehabbing ankle surgery and should return sometime in the first half. Blake Snell is dealing with shoulder discomfort and hasn’t thrown yet, making Opening Day unlikely. Relievers Evan Phillips and Brusdar Graterol are also working their way back from surgeries and are expected to return later in the year.
And that’s just the current list. Over a 162-game season, injuries are inevitable. Kyle Tucker and Tyler Glasnow both have histories of missing time, which adds another layer of risk to two key pieces of the roster.
The good news? The Dodgers “big three” appear healthy. Shohei Ohtani is fully recovered and should enter 2026 without pitching restrictions, setting up the possibility of a true two-way season. Freddie Freeman, now entering his age-36 season, remains elite despite battling ankle issues last year. As he put it, “There wasn’t a 3 at the start of my batting average last year, and that irritates me.” If that ankle holds up, a bounce-back year could be coming.
Mookie Betts also looks poised for a stronger start. After losing 20 pounds due to illness before last season, his performance understandably dipped early. Yet over his final 50 games, he hit .317 while providing elite defense at shortstop, leading the position with 17 defensive runs saved. A full, healthy season could mean an MVP-caliber return.
The rotation remains strong, led by World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, with depth pieces like Gavin Stone and River Ryan ready to step in if needed. On paper, this is once again a 100-win-caliber team and the clear favorite in the NL West.