The Los Angeles Dodgers won a franchise-record 111 games during the regular season and had their sights on another World Series title, but suffered an early postseason exit at the hands of the San Diego Padres in the National League Division Series.
The Dodgers now are in offseason mode with decisions to make on 10 soon-to-be free agents. The group of impending Dodgers free agents includes Tyler Anderson, Andrew Heaney, Clayton Kershaw and Trea Turner. They will officially reach the open market the morning after the World Series concludes.
L.A. must also decide whether to exercise Justin Turner’s $16 million team option for the 2023 season. They additionally holds options on Hanser Alberto, Danny Duffy and Jimmy Nelson.
Daniel Hudson, Max Muncy and Blake Treinen would have fallen under this category as well, but the Dodgers signed them to extensions during the 2022 season. Options must be exercised or declined by the fifth day after the World Series.
Furthermore, the club’s list of free agents could expand if they choose not to tender contracts to any of the 12 players eligible for salary arbitration. Cody Bellinger is a non-tender candidate after struggling for most of the 2022 season.
The deadline to tender contracts to players on the 40-man roster for the 2023 season is December 2 at 5 p.m. PT.
Upcoming Dodgers free agents
Tyler Anderson
Anderson enjoyed a career year with the Dodgers that saw him earn his first career All-Star Game selection and is slated to cash in this offseason. The left-hander could be extended a qualifying offer, which would ensure draft compensation for L.A. if he signs elsewhere.
Qualifying offers must be made to players by 2 p.m. PT on the fifth day after the World Series. Players will then have 10 days to accept or decline the offer.
Joey Gallo
Joey Gallo was acquired by the Dodgers at the MLB trade deadline after a disastrous first half with the New York Yankees, and the slugger continued to struggle in L.A.
Gallo turns 29 years old in November and has a pair of 40-home run seasons under his belt, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he signs a one-year contract and attempts to re-establish his value next year.
Andrew Heaney
Heaney was effective in 16 appearances (14 starts) for the Dodgers but missed a large part of the 2022 season due to injuries. The southpaw could still receive a moderate contract from teams in need of pitching help.
Tommy Kahnle
Tommy Kahnle returned to a Major League mound this season for the first time since 2020 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He emerged as a significant contributor out of the Dodgers bullpen and it would make sense for both sides to work out a new contract.
Clayton Kershaw
Kershaw is coming off another solid season with the Dodgers but it remains to be seen if he will return for a 16th campaign. The 34-year-old previously said he is leaning towards coming back for another year, but could change his or mind or perhaps even sign with his hometown Texas Rangers.
Kershaw is a candidate to be extended a qualifying offer, but like last year, the Dodgers presumably will opt against doing so to give him all the time he needs to make a decision.
Craig Kimbrel
Craig Kimbrel’s first season with the Dodgers was mired by inconsistency that saw him lose his closer role and be left off the NLDS roster.
Kimbrel is all but certain to pitch elsewhere next season, and the only question remaining is whether teams still view him as an option in the ninth inning.
Chris Martin
Acquired from the Chicago Cubs at the MLB trade deadline, Martin evolved into one of the league’s better relievers with the Dodgers after tweaking his pitch mix.
The 36-year-old proved he could handle the ninth inning after Kimbrel was removed from the closer role, and the Dodgers will likely want to retain him depending on the price tag.
Kevin Pillar
Kevin Pillar appeared in only four games for the Dodgers this season after fracturing his left shoulder, but he enjoyed his time with his hometown team and could potentially return to the club on a Minor League contract.
David Price
David Price was a reliable bullpen option for manager Dave Roberts this year, but there have been rumblings that the 37-year-old could retire and spend more time with his family.
Trea Turner
Turner was a spark plug at the top of the Dodgers lineup, finishing second in hits behind Freddie Freeman and is now set to sign a lucrative contract this offseason.
Turner is a lock to receive the qualifying offer and at the very least will net the Dodgers a draft pick if they are unable to re-sign him.
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