Dodgers Minor Leaguer Alek Thomas Elects Free Agency

The Los Angeles Dodgers made a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks for Alek Thomas a couple of months into the season. The transaction made sense as a depth-building move, with the possibility that the team could draw out a better version of the former second-round pick while he was in their system.

The move paid off for the Dodgers, if only for a brief time, but Thomas has elected to become a free agent after finishing the 2026 regular season in the Minor Leagues.

The left-hander collected four hits in 19 at-bats with a .250 on-base percentage and a .513 on-base plus slugging. Most importantly, Thomas helped the Dodgers to a 4-2 record in games he started as an injury replacement for Andy Pages. He was particularly impactful in his first two games with the Pittsburgh Pirates, with an RBI in each contest.

The 26-year-old did himself a lot of favors by taking advantage of his opportunity with the Dodgers and rebuilding his stock in the Minors. He hit .305/.378/.537 in 272 at-bats with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets. It has certainly earned him another chance to make a Major League roster, which likely influenced his decision to elect free agency.

The Dodgers would have preferred to keep Thomas in their organization, but choosing his next destination will offer him a clearer path to the Majors.

There is a great deal of uncertainty for the Dodgers’ outfield in the future. It was the team’s weakest unit this season, with Pages as the one bright spot.

Tucker will be under contract through the 2029 season, but has opt-outs in each of the last two seasons. He turned things around in October, but throughout the season, it seemed likely that he would opt in to the $60 million average annual salary for those final two seasons.

On the other hand, parting ways with Teoscar Hernández would be much easier by comparison. The right-hander has one year left on his deal, with a club option for 2028. Moving Hernández’s $22 million salary next season is no small task, but a team with a DH opening could be willing to open negotiations for the 33-year-old and his 110 wRC+.

If the Dodgers are able to clear some space in their outfield, they have the good fortune of possessing strong outfield options in their farm system.

Could Josue De Paula join Dodgers’ outfield in 2027?

An easy fix to the Dodgers’ outfield problems next season would be to slot Josue De Paula into left field if the team is able to move on from Hernández.

The one knock against De Paula is his outfield defense, but a lot can change before the start of next season. If not, the Dodgers have plenty of other options at their disposal.