3 Dodgers who could lose their roster spot if LA makes another big move

The Los Angeles Dodgers' trade of Esteury Ruiz to the Miami Marlins felt like small potatoes on the surface — a depth outfielder for an 18-year-old lottery ticket arm, nothing headline-shaking. But Dodgers fans know better. Any time Andrew Friedman quietly frees up a 40-man spot, the radar starts blinking red.

And with the Dodgers now operating in the rarefied air of Yamamoto-Ohtani-Snell-Sasaki-Glasnow World, every inch of roster space matters. If another big move comes this winter — another bat, another bullpen hammer, another stealth superstar, because apparently there’s no such thing as “too much” in LA — someone has to step aside.

And right now, three names feel the most vulnerable in a potential 40-man roster crunch this offseason.

3 Dodgers who could lose their roster spot if LA makes another big move

Alex Call

Alex Call is the type of player front offices love: he runs well, fields cleanly, takes professional at-bats, and doesn’t complain about being optioned. He fits the Dodgers’ Swiss army knife vibe.

He also fits the profile of The First Guy You Waive When Something Bigger Arrives.

Call currently sits in that fourth-or-fifth outfielder purgatory with Ryan Ward and Mike Siani breathing down his neck. But unlike Siani (elite defender) and Ward (big Triple-A bat), Call’s ceiling is… well… Call-ish. Useful. Competent. Replaceable.

On a team trying to win its third straight World Series, the depth bar is just higher. If a veteran corner bat –– perhaps one named Kyle Tucker –– becomes available? If the Dodgers decide they want another center field option behind Andy Pages? If they add a DH type and need flexibility elsewhere? Call becomes the obvious roster squeeze.

Call will hook on somewhere. Guys like him always do. But the Dodgers aren’t building a playoff team anymore. They’re building a Death Star. And Call is more Rebel Transport than X-Wing.

Alex Freeland

Alex Freeland is a fun story: 2025 breakout year at Triple-A, left-handed bat, capable glove, good on-base instincts. On some clubs, he’d be a sleeper utility infielder of the future. But on the Dodgers? He's a lottery ticket tucked behind Mookie Betts, Hyeseong Kim, Tommy Edman, Miguel Rojas, Max Muncy and even Shohei Ohtani (if you squint at positional charts).

Freeland’s roster spot feels less like “we need him now” and more like “protect the asset so we don’t lose him for free.” Which is fine — until the Dodgers need that spot for someone they do need right now.

Freeland is the exact kind of player contending teams DFA and then hold their breath hoping he sneaks through waivers. Another team probably gives him a longer runway. That’s the risk. And the Dodgers front office has never been sentimental about that reality.

Ben Casparius

Ben Casparius has real stuff. He’s not a token name. There’s upside there. But look at this bullpen pileup: Edwin Díaz, Tanner Scott, Brusdar Graterol, Alex Vesia, Brock Stewart, Gavin Stone, Kyle Hurt, Roki Sasaki ... the list goes on.

Plus, the Dodgers always seem to find another Tyler Anderson-type in a parking lot somewhere and turn him into a leverage guy.

So where does that leave Casparius? Firmly in the “nice arm — tough squeeze” group. You only keep fringe bullpen arms on the 40-man if they’re out of options, close to contributing, or so high-ceiling you're terrified that someone else will steal them –– and Casparius feels like he lands just outside that circle.

And if another bullpen-ready pitcher arrives? Or the Dodgers stash another surprise starter? Casparius becomes the easiest name to click-scroll highlight in the transaction log.

The Dodgers live in a different roster world now. While most other clubs worry about filling spots, Los Angeles worries about finding space for more elite ones.

This roster doesn’t have many soft edges anymore. It’s Yamamoto-Snell-Sasaki-Glasnow-Ohtani-Freeman-Betts at the top and “would be starting for 20 other teams” everywhere else.

So when the whisper networks light up –– “Hey, could Friedman still be working on something…?” –– look at the bottom of the roster. Because that’s where the tremors start.

Right now? Call, Freeland and Casparius are the ones standing closest to the ledge –– not because they can't play, but because the Dodgers might simply need the room for someone just a little better.

Welcome to life on a superteam.