After watching the Milwaukee Brewers sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers right out the National League Championship Series last week, all eyes have now turned toward the numerous offseason roster decisions Andrew Friedman and LA's front office must make in the coming weeks.
Dodgers' insider Kaite Woo of The Athletic (subscription required) wasted no time naming outfielder Alex Call as a non-tender candidate. This is hardly a surprising revelation given Call's absence from the Dodgers' postseason roster, but it certainly highlights a missed opportunity on the part of Friedman and the front office.
As Woo correctly points out, the Dodgers missed their best chance to capitalize on Call's value. Though he was shopped at the August 3 trade deadline, Friedman and Co. failed to match up on a deal. Now, it appears, they'll send him packing this winter and receive nothing in return.
Dodgers likely to non-tender Alex Call after failing to find trade partner this summer
Call played in 88 games for the Dodgers in 2026, and hit just .233/.349/.307 with a 91 wRC+. But when used as a platoon option (.290/.408/.419 with a 136 wRC+ against left-handed pitching) he filled a valuable niche this past season.
But the Dodgers have an abundance of outfield talent coming up through the farm system. Josue De Paula made his MLB debut late last season and essentially took Call's spot on the postseason roster. While there have been (and still are) questions about De Paula's defense, his bat has already shown signs of being a difference maker in the lineup.
Los Angeles also has Teoscar Hernandez, Andy Pages, and Kyle Tucker under contract heading into next season, making it even more difficult to find a spot for Call on the active roster. The 32-year-old has minor league options remaining, and while his $1.9 million arbitration estimate is hardly worth squabbling over, the Dodgers could put that money (and the 40-man roster spot) to better use this offseason.
The Dodgers could shop Call once again this offseason in hopes that another organization might take a last-minute flier on him. But most will probably just wait things out and attempt to sign him once the Dodgers officially release him at the non-tender deadline.
