Dodgers Free Agent Rumors: Preference For Short-Term Contracts To Relievers

Addressing the bullpen is one of the top priorities for the Los Angeles Dodgers this offseason, and they’ve been connected to most of the top available relievers in free agency.

So far, the Dodgers have yet to line up on a deal and have missed out on their top targets, including Raisel Iglesias, Devin Williams and Ryan Helsley, all of whom received offers from L.A. The Dodgers also reportedly remain involved in discussions for Robert Suarez, but seem to be out on Edwin Díaz and Pete Fairbanks.

Part of the reason the Dodgers may have missed on their top targets, along with likely being out on Díaz, is due to their contract desires. According to Fabian Ardaya and Katie Woo of The Athletic, the Dodgers prefer to sign a reliever on a short-term contract, rather than a longer-term deal:

They want to be engaged on several of the top relievers available on the market, league sources said, but have tried to stick to shorter-term frameworks.

The Dodgers reportedly made one-year offers to Iglesias and Helsley before they signed with the Atlanta Braves and Baltimore Orioles, respectively. It’s also unlikely that Suarez will get a one-year deal, but they could perhaps secure him by offering a two-year contract with an option.

If the Dodgers miss out on the top available options, other notable pitchers they could turn to at a lesser cost include Kenley Jansen, Tyler Rogers, David Robertson, Chris Martin, Luke Weaber, Kyle Finnegan, and Shawn Armstrong.

The Dodgers could also look toward the trade market to address their need for a reliever, but have not yet been connected to anyone on that front.

Dodgers interested in bringing Evan Phillips back

The Dodgers had five arbitration-eligible players for the 2026 season who needed to be tendered a contract at the 2 p.m. PT deadline on Friday, with Evan Phillips among them.

However, rather than take the step of keeping Phillips under contract for next year and potentially beyond, the Dodgers chose to non-tender the right-hander. That made Phillips a free agent while he navigates the recovery process from having Tommy John surgery this past June.

Although Phillips is now a free agent, there is interest in re-signing the 31-year-old.