Dodgers News: Freddie Freeman concerns, Miguel Rojas, international free agency

After suiting up for Team Canada in the previous two World Baseball Classics, Freddie Freeman will be sitting this year's tournament out.

Freeman’s decision to withdraw from the 2026 World Baseball Classic will be felt most acutely in Los Angeles, where any hint of lingering wear and tear carries real weight. Freeman had committed to once again represent Team Canada — a role he’s long cherished as a way to honor his Canadian-born mother — but personal reasons and health concerns following the grind of the 2025 season ultimately led him to step away, per Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi.

For the Dodgers, this isn’t about patriotism or international pride. It’s about durability. Freeman is entering his age-36 campaign after another season that pushed his body to the edge, and the fact that he even questioned his ability to handle a March tournament underscores how much maintenance he now requires.

Freeman's WBC withdrawal may be prudent, but it also quietly raises a red flag: the Dodgers’ lineup cornerstone is no longer invincible, and preserving his health over 162 games is becoming a season-defining priority.

Dodgers News: Miguel Rojas plans to join LA's player development staff following retirement

Miguel Rojas’ place in Dodgers lore is secure after his improbable, season-saving homer in Game 7 of the 2025 World Series, but his focus is already shifting toward what comes next.

Rojas re-signed with Los Angeles on a one-year, $5.5 million deal in December, and the 2026 season is expected to be his last in the major leagues. When his playing days end, Rojas plans to remain with the Dodgers in a player development role, beginning a second chapter with the organization that first gave him a big league opportunity in 2014.

The veteran infielder has become a central voice in the Dodgers' clubhouse over the past three seasons, mentoring younger players and even helping Mookie Betts navigate his transition to shortstop. Rojas has expressed interest in managing someday, and sees player development as a natural bridge into coaching, while also allowing more time with his family.

For the Dodgers, it ensures that one of the team’s cultural pillars — and one of the most unlikely heroes in franchise history — will continue shaping the organization long after he hangs up his cleats.

Dodgers News: LA expected to be active on international free agent market

With the international signing period set to open Thursday, the Dodgers are once again turning their attention toward the sport’s next wave of global talent. Los Angeles will operate with a $6.68 million bonus pool for the 2026 cycle — a figure in the league’s lower half after offseason penalties tied to free-agent spending, but far from the smallest in MLB.

Even with financial constraints and last year’s heavy investment in Roki Sasaki, the Dodgers remain a fixture in the international market. Their scouting infrastructure and long-term planning have allowed them to stay aggressive, often identifying players years before they are eligible to sign. That approach could pay off again this week, as Baseball America’s Ben Badler recently linked the Dodgers to Dominican outfielder Rubel Arias – a toolsy 17-year-old with notable upside.

For an organization balancing championship expectations at the big-league level, the international market remains a vital pillar. While these signings won’t impact the 2026 roster anytime soon, they represent the Dodgers’ commitment to sustaining excellence — ensuring that the next generation of talent is already being built behind baseball’s most star-studded lineup.