Los Angeles Dodgers free agent Kris Bubic is gathering plenty of interest across MLB, per Will Sammon and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
The Dodgers acquired Bubic at the trade deadline on a rental, sending minor league reliever Carlos Duran the other way.
“Free-agent left-hander Kris Bubic, who was traded from the Kansas City Royals to the Los Angeles Dodgers during his second stint on the injured list with elbow soreness, is drawing broad interest from contenders and non-contenders alike, according to a person briefed on his market,” Sammon and Rosenthal wrote.
How Did Kris Bubic Perform With the Dodgers?
Bubic came to the Dodgers on the injured list after struggling with elbow soreness, so he made just seven appearances out of the bullpen with the team throughout the regular season and postseason.
Five of those appearances came in the regular season, where he held opponents scoreless through 4.2 innings pitched while striking out five batters.
Bubic didn’t find the same success in the postseason, though, as he allowed two runs through 1.1 innings pitched.
Why is Kris Bubic Such a Popular Free Agent?
Bubic, 29, is a starting pitcher by trade, but stepped into the bullpen for the Dodgers to manage his load after his injury.
He has a versatile five-pitch arsenal, and he has a solid track record over the past few years despite a few injuries. Before an injury took him out of commission in July 2025, he had a 2.55 ERA through 20 starts and made the All-Star Game.
This season, Bubic had a 3.76 mark through 14 appearances.
Free agency is loaded with pitchers this offseason, with Tarik Skubal headlining a class which also consists of players like Freddy Peralta, Nick Martinez and Sonny Gray, but he is one of the top left-handed options available, and is one of the few still yet to turn 30.
Spotrac estimates Bubic has a shot to land a four-year, $70 million deal, though he could easily make more than that figure if the his market remains popular.
Will the Dodgers Re-Sign Kris Bubic?
Bubic is a solid addition to most MLB rosters, but his likelihood of returning to Los Angeles isn’t high. Bubic would likely want to return to an MLB rotation rather than the bullpen, and he will earn more money doing so as well.
The Dodgers’ rotation is stacked with talent, making a middling starter signing like Bubic unlikely.
Would you bring Kris Bubic back to the Dodgers?
