3 free agents Dodgers must pursue (beyond Tarik Skubal) to return to glory

The Los Angeles Dodgers were unable to win their third consecutive World Series title this year, coming up short in the NLCS after getting swept by the Milwaukee Brewers. It goes without saying that the Dodgers should do everything they can to retain ace starter Tarik Skubal. But there are at least three other moves they must make in order to return to the promised land next season.

The Dodgers had the highest luxury tax payroll in all of baseball in 2026 at $433 million, and it still wasn't enough for them to three-peat. And keep in mind that the Dodgers have their entire starting lineup returning next year, so the moves we will focus on will be on the pitching side.

For that, we're going to take a look at the three free agents they can pursue (beyond Skubal) to solidify their roster next year.

3 free agents (not named Tarik Skubal) the Dodgers should pursue

Adrian Morejon, Padres reliever

The Dodgers have a lot of money invested in their bullpen, particularly in Edwin Diaz and Tanner Scott. However, they still need to stabilize this unit and they can do so by signing setup man Adrian Morejon away from the NL West rival San Diego Padres. Morejon could draw closer money on the open market, but the Dodgers should still get aggressive to try to land him given the impact he can make in their bullpen.

Morejon, who turns 28 ahead of next season, had a 2.83 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 86 innings this past season. These are elite numbers and the addition of the left-hander would form a three-headed monster with Diaz and Scott in the late innings in 2027. The only dilemma is that the Padres may offer Morejon the qualifying offer, which would mean teams would have to surrender a compensatory draft pick to sign him.

Alex Vesia, Dodgers reliever

Speaking of bullpen help, the Dodgers should absolutely re-sign left-handed reliever Alex Vesia, who is set to become a free agent this winter. Vesia, 30, has been a big part of the Dodger bullpen since coming to Los Angeles in 2021. This past season, the southpaw posted a 2.64 ERA, 161 ERA+, 1.07 WHIP, 3.10 FIP, 74 stirkeouts and a 1.5 bWAR in 72 appearances (58 innings).

Vesia, however, needs to cut down on the walks, as he issued 5.0 BB/9 in 2026. Even still, he's a crucial piece in the Dodgers' bullpen, and they shouldn't let him walk out the door in free agency. They're going to need to strengthen their bullpen for another title run, so re-signing Vesia should be a priority.

Clay Holmes, Cubs starter

Last but not least, the Dodgers should make another move in their starting rotation beyond bringing back Skubal. That move is former reliever turned starter Clay Holmes, who will likely opt-out of his deal to become a free agent this offseason.

Holmes was dominating with the New York Mets before a broken leg in May knocked him out for three months of action. Prior to returning from the IL, the Mets dealt him to the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline.

With Chicago, Holmes had a 4.25 ERA in nine starts down the stretch. Holmes, 33, is known as a ground ball pitcher (99th percentile for ground ball rate), and the Dodgers have strong defense up the middle in their infield. By signing Holmes, the Dodgers would be covering themselves against injuries, which their rotation saw a ton of in 2026.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow