2 upcoming Dodgers free agents who have been good but don't need to be re-signed

The Los Angeles Dodgers don't have too many tough decisions when it comes to their own impending free agents. The likes of Michael Conforto and Kirby Yates, for example, have been awful. On the flip side, Clayton Kershaw's decision to retire at season's end has already taken care of that decision for them.

Elsewhere, the Dodgers hold options on Alex Vesia, a must-pick-up at $3.6 million, and Max Muncy, which will require more careful consideration.

However, as for those without options who will be hitting the free-agent market, two players stand out as guys who have played well (when healthy) but probably don't need to be re-signed.

These two Dodgers will likely be playing elsewhere in 2026 despite solid performances

Utility Man Miguel Rojas

Miguel Rojas has been all over the Dodgers' infield this season and has done a good job whenever called upon. Unlike his counterpart, Kiké Hernández, who failed to hit with a putrid 61 wRC+ on the year, Rojas has filled in admirably when injuries struck or regulars just needed a day off.

The former Miami Marlin has slashed .264/.322/.397 with seven homers over 110 games. His slighty-above-average bat combined with a solid glove has been worth 1.7 fWAR this season. He's also stepped up as a leader at times when the club needed to hear his voice most.

So why move on? Well, for one thing, the veteran will be entering his age-37 season last year, and while he's hit well the past two seasons, he's shown in the past that his bat is not the most consistent. Rojas put up a dreadful 68 wRC+ in his final season with the Marlins in 2022. He repeated that exact same mark the following year, his first in Los Angeles.

His 2024 and 2025 seasons are the two best offensive performances of his career, save for the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. Is he aging like fine wine? Maybe, but it's more than likely he regresses as he ages.

Furthering the cause to move on is the presence of younger options already in the system. Hyeseong Kim has nearly matched him with the bat, posting a .283/.319/.375 line while adding outfield experience to his repertoire, which is something Rojas doesn't offer.

Next, there's Alex Freeland, a top prospect who has struggled in his limited big league action this season. Still, Freeland's performance, a 73 wRC+, matches the worst-case scenario for Rojas in 2026, and his youth provides a much greater upside.

Rojas would be nice to hold on to, but he isn't a necessity for next year's club, and the team needs to see what it has in these higher-upside youngsters.

Reliever Michael Kopech

Michael Kopech was a vital part of the Dodgers' World Series-winning team last season after coming over at the trade deadline. With the bullpen in need of a huge revamp, it might make sense to keep an arm that has a 2.45 ERA on the season in the fold.

However, there's more than meets the eye with Kopech, who has been injured more often than he's been healthy this year, and whose playoff status is currently unclear, as he deals with yet another malady.

When he has been on the mound, he hasn't been the dominant force his sparkly ERA would suggest, walking an astronomically high 10.64 batters per nine innings.

Struggles with injuries and consistency are nothing new to Kopech, and while there's a chance he's healthy and productive in 2026, it would be a gamble. The Dodgers don't care about the money, but roster spots are a finite quantity and they'd be better served bringing in another, more durable option as opposed to riding the Kopech rollercoaster for another season.