Resetting the 40-man roster for the 2024 World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers (!)

Dustin Nosler 11/04/2024 Dodgers Analysis Leave A Comment

I write this post every season after the World Series. The last time I wrote it this late was 2020 after they won the 2020 World Series, and this year it’s also late because THE DODGERS WON THE 2024 WORLD SERIES!

It still doesn’t seem real.

Still, the roster was stacked — even with all the injuries suffered. As such, we need to look at where the 40-man roster stands as we head into an offseason with a lot of decisions to be made.

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Free Agents (8)

All teams have an exclusive, five-day negotiating window after the World Series. After that time, they’ll be free to sign anywhere.

Two Game 5 heroes in Buehler and Treinen are free agents. Buehler is all but assured (he didn’t) to get at least the qualifying offer (1-year, $21.05 million), while Treinen could be back on a 1-year or 2-year deal like he signed a few years ago. Despite Flaherty’s up-and-down showing in the postseason, he could be on the agenda to be back. The Hernandezes seem like they should be back, but Kiké seems more likely than Teoscar at this rate, only because Teo could probably land a better deal than the 1-year, $23 million one he signed last offseason (he got a qualifying offer, obviously). However, Teoscar really wants to stay in Los Angeles and might take a bit of a paycut to make that happen (my own speculation). Kelly could be back on maybe a minor-league deal or a cheap 1-year deal. Hudson said postgame that he was retiring, and Kiermaier has already established that he’s also retiring.

Option (3)

Kershaw said during the postseason that he’ll be back for 2025, so he’ll exercise his option (he didn’t, likely a formality, though). With Kershaw coming back, his defacto personal catcher Barnes will probably also be back (confirmed). And Rojas coming back for $5 million is a no-brainer (confirmed), especially considering the lack of MLB-caliber shortstop depth currently on the roster. Barnes and Rojas will be accounted for in the “under contract” portion of the tally at the end of this article.

Under Contract (10)

Lots and lots of talent here. Here’s hoping more of them can stay healthy for a postseason run next year.

Arbitration-eligible (9)

Note: All arbitration estimates are via MLB Trade Rumors.

Gonsolin should be fully recovered from Tommy John surgery, while May should also be recovered from his many ailments. Everyone else except Brogdon will tendered contracts, and there’s a chance Brogdon could, too.

Pre-Arbitration/Minor Leagues (17)

The following players don’t have enough service time to be arbitration-eligible or don’t have long-term contracts. They’ll be making peanuts compared to everyone else above.

All guys making the MLB minimum or slightly higher. Some of them might not make it through the winter (Honeywell, Logue) on the 40-man, especially if the Dodgers make some free-agent signings and trades. Some guys will go on the 60-day injured list when Spring Training begins as they rehab from long-term injuries (and open up some roster spots). There’s a lot of talented players here who are making peanuts, compared to everyone else. This is how you build a sustainable, championship-level roster.

Restricted List (1)

I’m always going to keep a spot for Tolesy.

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Here’s a breakdown of where the 40-man roster stands.

  • 17 Pre-Arbitration/Minor Leagues
  • 12 Under Contract
  • 9 Arbitration Eligible
  • 1 Option

The roster is at at 38 players, with Kershaw’s option to be exercised still to come. Guys like Hurt, Ryan and Sheehan will go on the 60-day injured list at the beginning of Spring Training 2025, as Ryan and Sheehan recover from Tommy John surgery, while Hurt recovers from an elbow injury. After that, we have to account for players to protect from the 2024 Rule 5 Draft.

Here are the notable players who are R5-eligible for the first time. All players who were previously eligible, still in the org and not added to the 40-man roster are also eligible. Some of those players (provided they aren’t eligible for and elect minor-league free agency) include Carlos Duran (RHP), Alec Gamboa (LHP), Sauryn Lao (RHP) Jose Ramos (OF), Jose Rodriguez (RHP), Jerming Rosario (RHP), Ryan Ward (OF) and so on.

Position Players

Pitchers

Not a lot of new guys who could be plucked in a R5 scenario. Choi is a former Minor League Pitcher of the Year in the org, so he could be under consideration. The 24-year-old made it to Triple-A this season and logged 115 1/3 innings. Lao would be a sneaky protection candidate, as he has taken to a reliever role after beginning his pro career as a corner infielder. Other than them, I’m not sure anyone else is protection-worthy.

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This was one of the most interesting playoff runs during this current era of Dodger baseball. They did a lot of things well, some things not so much. They had a ton of injuries, yet they were able to overcome it to win it all.

It’s only natural to want to run it back with everyone, but that’s never how it works in sports. Some guys will be back, some won’t and there will be some new faces. It should be an interesting offseason for the Dodgers.

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About Dustin Nosler

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Dustin Nosler began writing about the Dodgers in July 2009 at his blog, Feelin' Kinda Blue. He co-hosted a weekly podcast with Jared Massey called Dugout Blues. He was a contributor/editor at The Hardball Times and True Blue LA. He graduated from California State University, Sacramento, with his bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in digital media. While at CSUS, he worked for the student-run newspaper The State Hornet for three years, culminating with a 1-year term as editor-in-chief. He resides in Stockton, Calif.
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