:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61906247/1018460916.jpg.0.jpg)
The Dodgers’ season is over much earlier than expected, and here is a look at the roster heading into the offseason. There are 46 players on the 40-man roster, including six on the 60-day disabled list, split into a few relevant groups.
Free agents (7)
Manny Machado
Brian Dozier
Yasmani Grandal
Hyun-jin Ryu
John Axford
Daniel Hudson
Ryan Madson
The Dodgers have a top-heavy group of free agents, though since Machado and Dozier were acquired midseason they are ineligible to receive a qualifying offer, which is set this offseason at $17.9 million for a one-year deal, per multiple reports. That’s up $500,000 over last year.
A decision will have to be made whether to make a qualifying offer to Grandal, and possibly even Ryu, by the fifth day after the World Series ends. The player(s) have 10 days to accept or decline the offer, and if they sign elsewhere could net the Dodgers draft pick compensation.
Options (2)
Clayton Kershaw has two more seasons remaining on his contract, paying him $32 million in 2019 and $33 million in 2020. He can opt out of his deal and into free agency within three days after the World Series. Should Kershaw opt out, expect him to get a qualifying offer.
“I haven’t made the decision yet,” Kershaw said Sunday night. “We have three days to talk, between us and the Dodgers, see what happens, and we’ll go from there.”
David Freese has a $6 million club option for 2019, with a buyout of $500,000 if it is not exercised.
Under contract (5)
| Player | Service Time | 2018 salary | 2019 salary | Signed through |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Service Time | 2018 salary | 2019 salary | Signed through |
| Matt Kemp | 12.049 | $21,500,000 | $21,500,000 | 2019 |
| Rich Hill | 9.127 | $16,000,000 | $18,000,000 | 2019 |
| Justin Turner | 8.105 | $11,000,000 | $18,000,000 | 2020 |
| Kenley Jansen | 8.073 | $10,000,000 | $18,000,000 | 2021* |
| Kenta Maeda | 3.000 | $3,000,000 | $3,000,000 | 2023 |
| Yaisel Sierra | 0.000 | $3,500,000 | $4,000,000 | 2021 |
The five under contract on the 40-man roster total $78.5 million for 2019, $74.625 million toward the competitive balance tax threshold which increases to $206 million next year.
Chase Utley is technically still also under contract for 2019 but in July announced his retirement effective at the end of the season.
Yaisel Sierra is still under contract through 2021, but remains off the 40-man roster, with his salary not counting toward the competitive balance tax.
Arbitration eligible (13)
| Player | Service Time | 2018 salary | 2019 estimate* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Service Time | 2018 salary | 2019 estimate* |
| Yasiel Puig | 5.102 | $6,000,000 | $11,300,000 |
| Alex Wood | 5.123 | $6,000,000 | $9,200,000 |
| Joc Pederson | 4.028 | $2,600,000 | $4,300,000 |
| Kiké Hernandez | 4.054 | $1,600,000 | $3,200,000 |
| Chris Taylor | 3.037 | $575,000 | $3,200,000 |
| Josh Fields | 5.083 | $2,200,000 | $2,800,000 |
| Tony Cingrani | 5.088 | $2,300,000 | $2,700,000 |
| Corey Seager | 3.032 | $605,000 | $2,600,000 |
| Tom Koehler | 5.152 | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Pedro Baez | 4.059 | $1,500,000 | $1,800,000 |
| Yimi Garcia | 3.149 | $630,000 | $900,000 |
| Erik Goeddel | 3.037 | unknown | $900,000 |
| Zac Rosscup | 3.164 | $610,000 | $800,000 |
Yasiel Puig’s contract is up but he still has a year before free agency, making this his first offseason eligible for salary arbitration. If somehow the Dodgers retain all 13 of these players and they earn the projected salaries above, the arbitration gang would total $45.7 million in 2019.
The remainder of the roster is comprised of players with under three years of service time.
Team control (18)
| Player | Service Time | Options remaining (used) | 2018 salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Service Time | Options remaining (used) | 2018 salary |
| Austin Barnes | 2.124 | 1 (2015-16) | $555,000 |
| Ross Stripling | 2.115 | 2 (2016) | $555,000 |
| Scott Alexander | 2.097 | 2 (2016) | $555,000 |
| Max Muncy | 2.027 | 1 (2015-16) | unknown |
| Cody Bellinger | 1.160 | 3 (none) | $585,000 |
| Andrew Toles | 1.128 | 2 (2018) | $555,000 |
| Julio Urias | 1.123 | 1 (2016-17) | $550,000 |
| Pat Venditte | 1.084 | 1 (2016, 2018) | unknown |
| J.T. Chargois | 1.062 | 0 (2016-18) | $550,000 |
| Brock Stewart | 1.059 | 0 (2016-18) | $555,000 |
| Dylan Floro | 1.054 | 1 (2016-17) | unknown |
| Walker Buehler | 0.168 | 2 (2018) | unknown |
| Kyle Farmer | 0.129 | 1 (2017-18) | $547,500 |
| Dennis Santana | 0.125 | 2 (2018) | $545,000 |
| Caleb Ferguson | 0.118 | 3 (none) | $545,000 |
| Alex Verdugo | 0.078 | 2 (2018) | $547,500 |
| Rocky Gale | 0.077 | 3 (none) | unknown |
| Tim Locastro | 0.045 | 2 (2018) | unknown |
The minimum service time needed for Super Two status — defined as the top 22% in service time among players with at least two years but not quite three years — is reportedly at two years, 134 days per Jerry Crasnick of ESPN. Austin Barnes fell just 10 days shy of qualifying.
Scott Alexander was optioned to the minors in 2018 but only for a total of 11 days, short of the requisite 20 days to count as using an option year. Ditto for Julio Urias, who was optioned for a total of 17 days.
The 2019 major league minimum salary is $555,000.
Important offseason dates
- The day after the World Series ends: Free agency begins at 6 a.m. PT today
- Five days after the World Series ends (Nov. 2): Free agents can sign with new teams beginning at 2 p.m. PT; also the deadline for teams to submit qualifying offers
- 15 days after the World Series (Nov. 12): Deadline for free agents to accept or reject qualifying offers is 2 p.m. PT
- November 20, 2018: Deadline to set rosters in preparation for the Rule 5 Draft. Keibert Ruiz will be added to the 40-man roster, and other Dodgers minor leaguers who theoretically could join him this offseason include Yadier Alvarez, Edwin Rios, Matt Beaty, Connor Joe, Josh Sborz, Joe Broussard, Jake Peter and Drew Jackson.
- December 9-13, 2018: Winter Meetings, in Las Vegas (Rule 5 Draft is Thursday, Dec. 13)
- January 11, 2019: Deadline for players and teams to exchange numbers for salary arbitration.
- February 1-20, 2019: Arbitration hearings (scheduled as needed)