Alex Vesia was among the Los Angeles Dodgers players who were eligible for arbitration this offseason.
He was tendered a contract by the Dodgers in November to keep him under team control, but he was their lone player to not reach an agreement prior to the salary exchange deadline.
The Dodgers ended up filing at $2.05 million while Vesia filed at $2.35 million, setting up a potential hearing between the two sides.
However, the Dodgers and Vesia have now agreed to a contract for the 2025 season to avoid a hearing, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com:
Alex Vesia has agreed to a $2.25 million contract for 2025, per source, avoiding arbitration. The deal includes a $3.55 million club option for 2026 with a $50K buyout, making it a $2.3 million guarantee. The option can rise to $3.725 million based on appearances.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 29, 2025
In addition, the contract includes an option for 2026, which would be Vesia’s final arbitration-eligible season before he can become a free agent.
MLB Trade Rumors projected Vesia’s salary for the 2025 season to be in the neighborhood of $1.9 million.
The 28-year-old appeared in a career-high 67 games and had arguably the best season of his career with a 1.76 ERA while striking out 33.1% of hitters and walking 12.5%.
He was often used in high-leverage situations and became one of the Dodgers’ most reliable relievers after a down 2023 season.
Over his career, Vesia owns a 2.89 ERA in 214.2 innings while striking out 32.3% of hitters and walking 11.5%.
Dodgers avoided arbitration with all eligible players
The Dodgers have mostly been able to avoid arbitration hearings under president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. Their only hearings took place in 2020 with Joc Pederson and Pedro Báez.
Hearings have the potential to create some animosity from the player toward the team, so clubs typically try to avoid them whenever possible.
Earlier in the offseason, the Dodgers reached agreements with Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May, who were both eligible for arbitration. Prior to the deadline, they also agreed to deals with Michael Kopech, Evan Phillips, Anthony Banda and Brusdar Graterol.
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