The Los Angeles Dodgers have finally made a move in a quiet offseason, bringing back veteran infielder Miguel Rojas on a one-year, $5.5 million deal, a source confirmed to The Athletic, signaling the team is prioritizing clubhouse chemistry and depth over splashy free agent signings as the winter meetings approach. Rojas, who initially announced his retirement plans after the World Series, reversed course and will return for what is expected to be his final major league season, with a transition into the Dodgers front office in player development already lined up for when his playing days end. The move, reported by Fabian Ardaya and Daniel Alvarez, gives Los Angeles a reliable utility infielder and a respected voice in a clubhouse that just won a championship, but it also raises questions about whether the team will pursue other key targets like Kiké Hernández or address glaring needs in left field and the bullpen.
The Rojas signing comes as the Dodgers watch top relievers fly off the board, with Devin Williams agreeing to a three-year, $45 million deal with the New York Mets, according to Jon Heyman, leaving Los Angeles without a clear closer option and forcing the front office to reconsider its approach to the back end of the bullpen. Williams, who was widely seen as a perfect fit for the Dodgers, instead heads to Queens, where the Mets are now unlikely to re-sign Edwin Díaz, creating a domino effect that could reshape the relief market. For the Dodgers, the loss of Williams means they must either pivot to a cheaper option, rely on internal candidates like Evan Phillips or Tanner Scott, or wait for the market to cool and snag a bargain later in the offseason, a strategy that has worked in the past but carries significant risk for a team with World Series aspirations.
Miguel Rojas is coming back to Los Angeles on a one-year deal worth $5.5 million, and he will transition into a front office role in player development after his playing career ends, sources confirmed, solidifying his place as a key figure in the organization both on and off the field. Rojas, who hit .283 with a .709 OPS in 103 games last season, provided steady defense at shortstop and third base while earning praise from teammates and coaches for his leadership during the postseason run. The deal is a bargain for the Dodgers, who are getting a veteran presence at a fraction of the cost of top free agents, and it allows Rojas to finish his career where it began, with the team that drafted him in 2010.
The Dodgers are now expected to turn their attention to re-signing Kiké Hernández, a similar player to Rojas who also delivered clutch postseason performances, but the return of Rojas could complicate that pursuit as the team evaluates its infield depth and roster flexibility. Hernández, who hit .229 with 12 home runs in 2024, is a fan favorite and has expressed a desire to stay in Los Angeles, but the Dodgers may be hesitant to commit to another utility infielder when they have younger options like Miguel Vargas and Michael Busch waiting in the wings. The team also has to consider the health of Tommy Edman, who is recovering from ankle surgery and could miss the start of the season, making Rojas an even more critical piece for the early months of 2025.
The Dodgers missed out on Devin Williams, who signed a three-year, $45 million deal with the Mets, according to Jon Heyman, leaving Los Angeles without a clear closer and forcing the front office to explore other options in a thin relief market. Williams, who posted a 1.25 ERA with 14 saves in 22 appearances for the Brewers last season, was the top reliever available and would have given the Dodgers a dominant back-end arm to pair with Evan Phillips and Alex Vesia. Instead, the Mets swooped in with a deal that is shorter than expected, at just three years, but still priced out the Dodgers, who are notoriously reluctant to commit big money to relievers.
The Dodgers are now in a position where they must decide whether to pursue Edwin Díaz, who is still available but likely seeking a five-year deal worth over $100 million, or to take a more measured approach and wait for the market to develop. Díaz, who saved 25 games with a 3.52 ERA for the Mets last season, is the biggest name left on the relief market, but his price tag is steep for a team that already has significant payroll commitments to Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman. The Dodgers could also look to trade for a closer, with names like Ryan Helsley of the Cardinals and Raisel Iglesias of the Braves potentially available, but those deals would require parting with prospects, something president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has been hesitant to do.
The Dodgers are also facing a glaring hole in left field, where Ryan Ward and Alex Call are currently the top internal options, a situation that has fans and analysts questioning whether the team has done enough to address the position. Ward, who hit .285 with 22 home runs in Triple-A last season, has never played in the majors, while Call, who posted a .743 OPS in limited action with the Nationals and Dodgers, is better suited for a fourth outfielder role. The team has been linked to several outfielders, including Cedric Mullins, who was traded to the Rays, and Kyle Tucker, who is expected to command a massive contract, but Friedman has shown little willingness to overpay for a corner outfielder.
The Dodgers are in a strong position overall, with most of their core from the World Series-winning team returning, but the lack of a left fielder and a reliable closer could be exploited by aggressive National League rivals like the Braves and Phillies. The team has depth in the infield, with Rojas joining Betts, Freeman, and Gavin Lux, and the starting rotation is bolstered by the return of Walker Buehler and the addition of Yoshinobu Yamamoto. However, the bullpen remains a concern, especially after the departure of Joe Kelly and the uncertainty surrounding Scott, who struggled with injuries and inconsistency last season.
The Dodgers are expected to be active at the winter meetings next week, where they could address their remaining needs through trades or free agent signings, but the team is also comfortable with its current roster and may choose to wait for bargains later in the offseason. Friedman has a history of making moves in January and February, when prices drop and teams are more willing to negotiate, and he has the financial flexibility to add a big name if the right opportunity arises. For now, the focus is on the return of Rojas, a move that may not make headlines but reinforces the team culture that helped the Dodgers win their eighth World Series title.
The Dodgers are also dealing with the fallout from the Williams signing, which has reshaped the relief market and left several teams scrambling for alternatives, including the Yankees, who are now expected to pursue Díaz or Helsley. The Mets, meanwhile, have solidified their bullpen with Williams and are now in a position to focus on other needs, such as starting pitching and the outfield, where they have been linked to Juan Soto. The Dodgers, by contrast, are taking a patient approach, confident that their internal options and the depth of their organization will carry them through the regular season and into October.
The Dodgers are also monitoring the health of their players, with Edman expected to miss the start of the season after ankle surgery and Hernández recovering from elbow surgery that will keep him out until at least May. The team has the depth to withstand those absences, with Rojas, Lux, and Chris Taylor all capable of playing multiple positions, but the lack of a proven left fielder remains a concern. The Dodgers could also use Dalton Rushing, their top catching prospect, in left field, but that would be a temporary solution and could stunt his development behind the plate.
The Dodgers are in a unique position as defending champions, with a roster that is largely intact and a front office that is willing to be patient in a market that has moved quickly. The signing of Rojas is a reminder that the team values continuity and clubhouse chemistry, qualities that were essential to their postseason success, but it also highlights the challenges of building a roster in an era of escalating salaries and aggressive competition. The Dodgers have the resources to make a big move, but they are also confident in their ability to develop talent and find value in unexpected places.
The Dodgers are also dealing with the departure of key figures from their coaching staff, with hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc leaving for the Cubs and pitching coach Mark Prior being linked to several openings around the league. The team has already begun to fill those roles, promoting from within and hiring new voices to keep the message fresh, but the turnover could impact the development of young players like Pages and Vargas. The Dodgers are also preparing for the possibility of losing free agents like Hernández and Clayton Kershaw, who have yet to make decisions about their futures.
The Dodgers are in a strong financial position, with a payroll that is among the highest in baseball but still below the luxury tax threshold, giving them flexibility to add a significant contract if they choose. The team has already committed over $1 billion in future salaries to Ohtani, Betts, and Freeman, but those deals are structured in ways that minimize the immediate impact on the payroll. The Dodgers are also generating record revenue from their new television deal and increased attendance, giving them the resources to compete with any team in the league.
The Dodgers are also focused on the long-term health of the organization, with a farm system that is ranked among the best in baseball and a player development system that has produced stars like Lux, Buehler, and Will Smith. The team has also invested heavily in international scouting, signing top prospects from Japan, Korea, and Latin America, and has built a pipeline of talent that should keep them competitive for years to come. The return of Rojas is part of that strategy, as he will transition into a front office role and help shape the next generation of Dodgers players.
The Dodgers are also dealing with the emotional impact of the offseason, with players like Rojas and Hernández expressing a desire to stay in Los Angeles and finish their careers with the team that drafted them. The team has a strong culture of loyalty and family, fostered by Friedman and manager Dave Roberts, and that culture has been a key factor in their success. The Dodgers are also aware of the challenges of repeating as champions, with the pressure of expectations and the target on their backs, but they are confident in their ability to handle the grind of a 162-game season.
The Dodgers are also monitoring the market for starting pitching, with names like Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery still available, but the team is comfortable with its current rotation of Yamamoto, Buehler, Tyler Glasnow, and Bobby Miller. The team also has depth in the minors, with prospects like Gavin Stone and Ryan Pepiot ready to step in if needed, and they have the financial flexibility to add a veteran arm if the price is right. The Dodgers are also considering a reunion with Kershaw, who is recovering from shoulder surgery and may not be ready until midseason, but the team is willing to wait for him to decide his future.
The Dodgers are in a strong position to defend their title, with a roster that is deep, experienced, and hungry for more, but they also face significant challenges in a competitive National League. The Braves, Phillies, and Mets have all improved their rosters, and the Padres are expected to bounce back after a disappointing season. The Dodgers are also dealing with the uncertainty of the postseason, where anything can happen, and they know that even the best teams can fall short in October. The signing of Rojas is a small step in a long journey, but it is a step that reinforces the values that have made the Dodgers one of the most successful franchises in baseball.
The Dodgers are also looking ahead to the winter meetings, where they will have the opportunity to make a big splash or to continue their patient approach, depending on how the market develops. The team has been linked to several top free agents, including Soto, Tucker, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but they are also prepared to stand pat if the prices are too high. The Dodgers have the luxury of a deep roster and a strong farm system, and they are confident that they can compete with any team in the league, regardless of who they sign. The return of Rojas is a reminder that sometimes the best moves are the ones that don’t make headlines, but that doesn’t mean the Dodgers are done making noise this offseason.
