The Los Angeles Dodgers had six players officially become free agents the morning after the World Series concluded, and a seventh if including Clayton Kershaw sailing off into retirement.
Secondary to that group was facing decisions on teams options for Max Muncy and Alex Vesia with respect to the 2026 season. The Dodgers needed to decide on their options with the respective players five days after the World Series ended.
According to Jack Harris of the L.A. Times, the Dodgers exercised their team option on Vesia for the 2026 season:
Dodgers are also picking up Alex Vesia's option for $3.55 million, per sources. He would've been arb-eligible anyway. But that takes care of their two option decisions for today
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) November 6, 2025
It has since been corrected that Vesia’s option was valued at $3.65 million due to reaching incentives this year with appearances.
Vesia was among several Dodgers who were eligible for salary arbitration heading into 2025. He and the team filed separate figures and avoided a hearing by ultimately agreeing to a one-year contract that included the option for 2026 and a buyout.
MLB Trade Rumors projected Vesia’s salary for the 2025 season to be in the neighborhood of $1.9 million. He received a $2.25 million salary this year and would have been paid an additional $500,000 if the Dodgers elected for a buyout.
“Arb is kind of weird,” Vesia said earlier in the year. “There’s certain numbers and things and whatnot, but at the end of the day, I know where I’m valued and I also know where the Dodgers value me too. Thankfully we were able to come to an agreement where both parties feel very confident with it.
“Regardless, I’m going out there and giving it my all, man. I love the game of baseball. It’s been great. Glad that it’s over, and now the focus is Spring Training.”
Vesia went 4-2 with a 3.02 ERA and 0.99 WHIP across a career-high 68 appearances this past season.
Alex Vesia misses World Series
While the left-hander remained a key member of the bullpen, Vesia was not with the Dodgers for the World Series due to what the team described as a “deeply personal family matter.”
Dodgers relief pitchers had Vesia’s No. 51 jersey number stitched into the side of their caps for Game 3 of the World Series, and the Toronto Blue Jays followed suit for Game 6.
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