The Los Angeles Dodgers 40-man roster is going to remain near-full for the time being as they tendered a contract to each of their 12 players who are eligible for salary arbitration.
The group of Dodgers arbitration players is comprised of Yency Almonte, Walker Buehler, Caleb Ferguson, J.P. Feyereisen, Victor González, Brusdar Graterol, Gavin Lux, Dustin May, Evan Phillips, Will Smith, Alex Vesia and Ryan Yarbrough.
Wander Suero gave the Dodgers an initial 13 players who were eligible for salary arbitration, but he elected free agency.
Each of the aforementioned players has three or more years of Major League service time but less than six years, which makes them eligible for salary arbitration for the 2024 season.
Although the Dodgers retained the rights to the group, they are still not officially under contract for next season. The Dodgers will continue to discuss a new contract with each, and if they have not agreed on a salary by the January 12 deadline, the team and player exchange salary figures for the upcoming season.
If necessary, arbitration hearings will be held January 29 through February 16. After listening to arguments from both parties, a three-person panel selects the figure of either the player or team, but not one in between, as the salary for the upcoming season.
Teams can continue negotiating contract terms beyond the deadline, but Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman historically has operated under a file and trial approach. Exceptions have proven to be when signing players to a multi-year contract.
Dodgers arbitration players for 2024
Yency Almonte
After becoming a key member of the bullpen in 2022, Yency Almonte was inconsistent this year and eventually landed on the 15-day injured list in early August because of a right knee sprain.
Almonte was eligible for arbitration for a second time in his career, and reportedly agreed to a $1.9 million salary.
Walker Buehler
Walker Buehler was hoping to provide a late boost to the Dodgers rotation but after a rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City, a decision was made to look ahead to 2024.
Buehler is in his final year of salary arbitration. He signed a two-year, $8 million contract in February 2021 and avoided having an arbitration hearing with the Dodgers.
Caleb Ferguson
Caleb Ferguson received several high-leverage opportunities this past season before his struggles led to primarily being utilized as an opener and multi-inning reliever.
Ferguson also is entering his final year of arbitration.
J.P. Feyereisen
The Dodgers acquired J.P. Feyereisen in December 2022 with an understanding he likely was to miss most, if not the entire season due to recovering from right rotator cuff and labrum surgery.
Feyereisen indeed has yet to pitch for the Dodgers and is arbitration-eligible for the first time in his career.
Victor González
After not having pitched for the Dodgers since 2021, González logged 33.2 innings this year, finishing with a 4.01 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and .223 batting average allowed.
He’s another member of the Dodgers organization is who going through arbitration for the first time.
Brusdar Graterol
Brusdar Graterol took a step forward in 2023 and became one of Dodgers manager Dave Roberts’ most-trusted relievers. The 2024 season is Graterol’s first being eligible for salary arbitration.
Gavin Lux
Gavin Lux was poised to be the everyday shortstop this past season but suffered a torn ACL and LCL in his right knee during Spring Training.
That prevented Lux from taking the field and now he’s going through arbitration for the first time.
Dustin May
Dustin May was poised to take on a larger role this year but required season-ending elbow surgery. That entailed a repair of May’s right flexor tendon in addition to an ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction revision from a previous Tommy John operation.
There’s a possibility May does not return during the 2024 season, which is going to be his third time eligible for salary arbitration.
Evan Phillips
Evan Phillips successfully took on the role of Dodgers closer and now is going through arbitration for the first time.
Will Smith
Will Smith completed his fourth season as the full-time catcher and is navigating arbitration for the first time in his career.
Alex Vesia
Alex Vesia a challenging season following his breakout performance in 2022, but eventually stabilized a bit after spending time with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Vesia now is among the Dodgers who are first-time arbitration-eligible.
Ryan Yarbrough
Ryan Yarbrough successfully filled a swingman role after being acquired by the Dodgers at the trade deadline, but there was some thought he could be a non-tender candidate.
Instead, Yarbrough is now going through arbitration for a final time.
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