Thursday, Jan. 8 represents the deadline for teams and eligible players to exchange arbitration salary figures, so both sides work to reach an agreement rather than going through the unwanted process of an arbitration hearing.
The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the offseason with nine players eligible for arbitration, but cut that group down to just four. Brusdar Graterol was one of them and reportedly agreed to a new contract on Wednesday.
Now, Anthony Banda and the Dodgers have avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract for the 2026 season, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic:
Anthony Banda, Dodgers agree at $1,625,000, avoid arbitration.
— Katie Woo (@katiejwoo) January 8, 2026
Last year, Banda signed a one-year deal worth $1 million, and his expected salary figure for 2026 was $2 million. The reported deal falls short of expectations by just over $300,000 which is not unusual for how the arbitration process plays out.
Banda is entering his third season with the Dodgers after spending stints with seven other organizations. Since joining the Dodgers, he has established himself as a quality member of the bullpen.
In 114.2 innings, the left-hander owns a 3.14 ERA and 1.23 WHIP while holding opposing hitters to a .211 batting average against and striking out 23.3% of hitters while walking 10.9%.
He has one more year of arbitration before becoming eligible for free agency, but he is also out of Minor League options so he will need to stay at the Major League level for the season or be placed on waivers.
Dodgers arbitration eligible players
Along with Banda and Graterol, Alex Call and Brock Stewart were also eligible for arbitration and each agreed to terms on deadline day as well.
Previously, the Dodgers had Evan Phillips, Tony Gonsolin, Ben Rortvedt, Michael Grove and Alex Veisa as arbitration eligible players. Vesia had his option picked up, while Phillips and Gonsolin were non-tendered.
Rortvedt signed a one-year deal, but was claimed by the Cincinnati Reds after the Dodgers tried to pass him through waivers, and Grove was outrighted off the 40-man roster.
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