On Monday, Los Angeles Dodgers Dave Roberts told reporters that he didn’t necessarily expect the team to make a “big splash” in free agency during the 2025 MLB Winter Meetings.
The Dodgers already had a championship caliber roster, and would be open to the idea of adding talent to their team, but they weren’t in desperation to do so.
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While Roberts was speaking, those in the Dodgers front office were working, as the team signed closer Edwin Diaz in free agency less than 24 hours after Roberts’ time with the media.
The move was the biggest splash of the Dodgers’ free agency by far, and shores up a major area of need in the Dodger bullpen. Before then, the team’s biggest move had been re-signing clubhouse favorite and World Series hero Miguel Rojas to a one-year, $5.5 million deal.
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The Dodgers still have work to do in free agency, as questions continue to surround their bullpen and outfield. Additionally, the team must decide what to do with utility player Kiké Hernandez, who is still drifting around in the pool of available free agents.
Hernandez, who had surgery on his left elbow in November, will start the 2026 season on the injured list, but his ability to play at another level in the postseason and his clubhouse leadership are reasons the Dodgers are predicted to re-sign the 34-year-old while also prioritizing bringing up younger players to stabilize the roster’s future.
“The Dodgers are interested in re-signing Kiké Hernandez after they re-signed Miguel Rojas, but they do want to infuse that bench with some youth,” Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain said. “They’re not looking to necessarily do it at these major positions, but the Dodgers have shown and made it known that they want to get younger on the bench. All signs point to Kiké Hernandez being back with the Dodgers after that Miguel Rojas signing. I’m very confident that’s going to happen. You just have to wait towards Spring Training when that 60-day IL opens up and he can sign, go on it and then he can rehab and hopefully he’s back in a couple months and ready to go in the postseason.”
Hernandez hit just .203 in the regular season last year, but turned it on in the postseason, hitting .250 with a home run and 7 RBI. In the bottom of the ninth in Game 6 of the World Series, Hernandez caught a fly ball in the outfield and slung it to second base to complete a double play and keep the Dodgers’ hopes of winning their second consecutive title alive.
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2 Responses
All is right with the world when Kike’ resigns in the Spring!
Re-signs!