For the first time since 2023, the Dodgers' season ended without the Commissioner's Trophy in hand.

That wasn't the outcome many expected after the back-to-back World Series champions followed up their 2025 title by adding Kyle Tucker and Edwin Diaz, and later trading for Tarik Skubal at the deadline. Skubal was generally very good, but Tucker and Diaz were major disappointments while the age of one of baseball's oldest lineups started to show.

The Dodgers are rarely willing to just sit on their hands and hope for the best. As the offseason approaches, they will do what they can to position themselves as championship contenders again in 2027. The biggest question, then, is what they can do this winter — or spring, depending on the likely lockout.

Here's what you need to know about the Dodgers' upcoming offseason.

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Dodgers free agents 2027

The following Dodgers are set to be free agents this offseason:

  • SP Tarik Skubal
  • RP Evan Phillips
  • RP Blake Treinen 
  • RP Alex Vesia
  • UTIL Kiké Hernandez
  • INF Miguel Rojas (retiring)
  • P Kris Bubic
  • P Eric Lauer

All things considered, the Dodgers aren't facing major change this offseason unless they want it. Of their pending free agents, the only major name is Skubal, who wasn't on the team just three months ago.

L.A. might have to do some maintenance on the bullpen with three relievers ticketed for free agency plus depth pieces Kris Bubic and Eric Lauer, though Blake Treinen missed the postseason with an injury.

The only two position players headed to the open market are infielder Miguel Rojas, who already said he is retiring after this season, and utility man Kiké Hernandez.

That's good news and bad news for the Dodgers. On one hand, a team that won 100 games is largely intact for 2027. On the other hand, the older pieces of an older lineup that started to show its age this season are all in line to be back next season, forcing the Dodgers to get creative if they want to make meaningful offensive changes.

Here's a look at who the Dodgers could target this winter.

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Dodgers offseason targets

The upcoming free agent class is light on high-level talent, and the far-and-away top player available is already a Dodger. That's good news for anyone who doesn't want to see the Dodgers load up again, but it doesn't mean the trade market can't be active.

Could the Dodgers re-sign Skubal? Absolutely. Only a few teams are willing to spend what he'll command on the open market, even as he approaches his 30th birthday. It's worth noting the Dodgers, despite their resources, don't always re-sign big-ticket free agents, especially those acquired at the trade deadline; Manny Machado, Max Scherzer, Corey Seager and Trea Turner have all walked. Still, a return to L.A. has to be considered the most likely scenario for Skubal.

That would leave the rotation largely set, especially if Ohtani is preparing to pitch in 2027. What can the Dodgers do to shake up their lineup? Utility players Rojas and Hernandez are free agents, but the lineup was largely intact. The easiest course of action could be to trade Teoscar Hernandez, even if it requires paying down his contract. Hernandez's offense is no longer enough to outweigh his poor defense, and the Dodgers have Josue De Paula ready to play.

With De Paula joining Pages in the lineup, the Dodgers will hope to offset the older bats who flashed some inconsistency in 2026.

The Dodgers have added a high-priced reliever in back-to-back offseasons. Could they do it again? While they still have high hopes for Diaz, they could lose some of the meat of their bullpen with Vesia and Phillips headed to the open market. Re-signing one or both is one option, but the Dodgers could also explore names like Bryan Abreu, Pete Fairbanks or Adrian Morejon in a relief market that has some depth.

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Dodgers payroll for 2027

Even with Skubal headed to free agency, the Dodgers are easily on the hook for the highest payroll obligations for 2027 at $370.5 million, according to Spotrac. The Mets, who had baseball's highest payroll in 2026, are second at $286.7 million.

The flip is partly the result of Kyle Tucker's deal, which didn't count for much at all in 2026 due to a massive signing bonus but will cost the Dodgers $55 million in 2027. Ohtani also has seven years remaining on his contract, so he will be back in the fold without any doubt in 2027 and beyond.

With a pending lockout, it's unclear how far the Dodgers are willing to push the envelope with their payroll. Are they comfortable going past $400 million, even before the luxury tax? They may have to be, though they could once again try to get creative with the way they structure big contracts if they retain Skubal.