Major League Baseball’s offseason is in full swing, and the Hot Stove is heating up. Front offices are already shaping plans for 2026, and with a bumper crop of talent available, this winter’s free agent market stands out for both depth and star power. As the game shifts into roster-building mode, whispers grow around the Dodgers fanbase about which names—superstars or difference-makers—could soon call Dodger Stadium home. In conversations among both executives and anonymous sportsbooks, there’s speculation about how Los Angeles might attempt to acquire impact players to boost its title odds.
At the conclusion of the World Series, the Dodgers had several free agents, including Clayton Kershaw, Max Muncy, Alex Vesia, Michael Conforto, Kirby Yates, Michael Kopech, Andrew Heaney, Kikie Hernandez, and Miguel Rojas. Kershaw has announced his retirement, and the Dodgers exercised team options on both Muncy and Vesia. Heaney signed a minor league deal in September. Coming off strong postseason performances, Hernandez and Rojas are expected to re-sign with the team sometime this winter. Coming off an injury-plagued season, Kopech may get offered a one-year deal by the Dodgers. Conforto and Yates will probably hit the market.
This year’s free agent class covers every corner of the diamond, from slugging outfielders and power arms to versatile infielders. Below, we spotlight ten 2025-26 free agents poised to command attention—and plenty of dollar signs. Many have direct or indirect ties to the Dodgers, whether in prior negotiations, local rumors, or explicit fits for what the franchise needs next.
Kyle Tucker: Impact Bat in High Demand
Kyle Tucker arrives on the open market as the class’s most complete player. Even after a hand fracture slowed him midseason, his production remains elite. Tucker finished with at least 4.0 fWAR every year since 2021 and flashed his all-around game for the Cubs. At age 28 and able to drive the ball to all fields, he fits any lineup. The Dodgers’ need for a left-handed punch in the outfield makes Tucker an instant target, though competition from the Cubs and Giants could be fierce.
Kyle Schwarber: Power Like No Other
Kyle Schwarber’s 56 home runs and 132 RBIs led the National League, and he’s become one of the game’s true sluggers even as a near full-time DH. Durable and relentless, Schwarber posted career highs in WAR and hasn’t shown signs of slowing down. While the Dodgers have plenty of lefty bats, a short-term, high-impact addition could make sense if they want to overwhelm opponents offensively. Scouts are sure: Schwarber’s bat slots anywhere in the top half of an order.
Bo Bichette: Star Shortstop Looks for a Home Run Deal
After a frustrating 2024, Bo Bichette bounced back to lead the American League in hits again before a knee injury ended his regular season. He finished with 18 home runs, 94 RBIs, and an .840 OPS in 139 games. Shortstop remains a soft point for several teams, but the Dodgers already have savvy depth at the position and may only enter the bidding at the right price. Bichette’s upside, though, makes him a logical fit for any club needing an infielder who can spark the lineup.
Alex Bregman: Veteran Leader, Still Producing
Alex Bregman explored free agency last offseason and landed in Boston on a unique short-term deal with outs after each season. After putting up an .822 OPS and 18 homers despite injuries, Bregman is back on the market: his winning track record, postseason poise, and mix of power and patience suit contenders. The Dodgers love versatility, but Bregman’s right-handed bat may only become a real pursuit if other targets fall through, with the Red Sox and Phillies also eager to add him.
Dylan Cease: Durable Arm With Strikeout Stuff
Dylan Cease maintains his place as one of the most reliable starters in baseball. Even with a 4.55 ERA, Cease’s velocity and strikeout rates keep him among the elite. Five straight seasons with 32+ starts and 200+ strikeouts don’t come cheap. The Dodgers never stop seeking starting pitching, and Cease, with his mix of experience and upside, will be on the shortlist if they want to shore up their rotation depth behind Walker Buehler and Tyler Glasnow.
Munetaka Murakami: Japanese Star Makes the Leap
By posting 246 home runs in eight NPB seasons, including a 56-homer campaign that broke records, Munetaka Murakami enters MLB as the offseason’s international sensation. Scouts compare his power to Hideki Matsui, and, with Yasiel Puig’s legacy still fresh in Los Angeles, the Dodgers’ Japanese scouting pipeline could bring Murakami west. The Dodgers, Mariners, and Yankees are expected to battle for his signature, with Los Angeles’s international profile giving them a potential edge.
Pete Alonso: Consistent Power from First Base
Pete Alonso re-signed with the Mets last spring but opted out after posting 38 home runs and 126 RBIs. The “Polar Bear” offers proven National League power and durability in a market thin on everyday first basemen. While the Dodgers have long-term commitments at first, Alonso fits the type of big bat that could shake up the lineup if he becomes open to positional changes. Whether it’s Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Boston, Alonso’s market will be strong.
Ranger Suárez: Steady Lefty Offers Rotation Depth
Ranger Suárez opened 2025 with a dominant first half of the season, then regressed somewhat after the All-Star break. But a 3.59 ERA over four full seasons proves his reliability. Dodgers fans may recognize the value in another lefty after watching recent rotation injuries. Suárez could land as either a solid mid-rotation piece or a high-leverage bullpen arm, with the Blue Jays, Giants, and Phillies most likely to compete for his services.
Michael King: Emerging Ace Seeks Next Step
Michael King transitioned from the Padres’ bullpen into a starring rotation role, posting a 3.10 ERA before injuries limited his year. Even after declining a mutual option, King’s peripherals—elite ground ball rate, sharp breaking stuff—make him one of the highest-upside arms available. Teams that miss out on Cole or Cease will see King as the next best thing, and if the Dodgers lose a starter to injury or trade, look for them to pounce.
Cody Bellinger: Former Dodger Eyes Big Payday
Cody Bellinger’s story continues to twist. After reviving his career with the Cubs, he landed in the Bronx and delivered a strong 2025—29 home runs, 98 RBIs, and an .814 OPS, along with his best bWAR since his MVP season. Bellinger remains a fan favorite in Los Angeles, but a reunion seems unlikely unless the Dodgers want to gamble on a lefty slugger whose production has swung wildly year to year. Nevertheless, given his age and athleticism, Bellinger will likely attract a significant deal, especially from the Yankees or Tigers.
