8 Dodgers players who will not be back in 2024

The Obvious Departures

Jake Marisnick

Marisnick was a Dodger for four games. He came over after an underwhelming stint with the Tigers as LA's outfield depth was tested due to injuries. Fans weren't thrilled about the addition because he was a prominent member of the cheating 2017 Astros team that defeated the Dodgers in the World Series.

Marisnick suffered an injury after just spending a few days with the team and never returned. He's a free agent after 2023, and the Dodgers will be hoping they aren't in a position next year to take a flyer on an unproductive veteran whose best (and still unimpressive) days are well in the rearview.

Kolten Wong

Kolten Wong was a version of Jake Marisnick Part II, as the Dodgers failed to show confidence in their prospects and decided to bring the veteran aboard after the Seattle Mariners had enough. Wong hit .165 with a .468 OPS in Seattle across 67 games, then came to LA and hit .300 with an .853 OPS in 20 games, earning him a postseason roster spot.

It didn't take long for the fan base to turn on him, though. Dave Roberts called on him to deliver with the bases loaded and two outs in a crucial moment during Game 2 of the NLDS, and he grounded out to first. Roberts' fault for putting him in that position, but Wong's addition was more so the product of the Dodgers' depth being tested due to various issues than anything else.

If he's back in 2024, that means the Dodgers aren't serious about fortifying their bench or developing their best young talent.

Amed Rosario

From trade deadline savior to trade deadline bust, Amed Rosario's 2023 season really couldn't have gone worse for a soon-to-be free agent shortstop. A good 2022 campaign was seemingly setting him up for a big payday, but his first half with the Guardians was dismal.

He received a shot of life after being traded to the Dodgers and appeared as if he was reinvigorated from the jump, but his play eventually cratered and he didn't do a whole lot in his part-time duty throughout the month of September. He was left off the postseason roster in favor of Wong.

If that doesn't tell you he's gone, then we can't help ya.

Jimmy Nelson

Will the Dodgers make it the 10th year in a row they pay Jimmy Nelson ~$1 million or so to not pitch for them? We're not being mean, but this just simply has to end. The Dodgers continuously load their payroll with 3-4 injury flyers and they never work out. Nelson hasn't logged an inning for LA since 2021.

He joined the Dodgers in 2020. He's pitched 29 innings since. That's an average of seven per year. Find a new low-cost reliever, for the love of GOD.

Goodbye (Again) to Longtime Dodgers

Kiké Hernández

Hernández is a beloved Dodger and came over at the trade deadline with Rosario, similarly providing a surge and leading to an historic month of August for the Dodgers. Friedman was once again a wizard and all was right in the world with Hernández back home.

Though Kiké ended up besting his numbers in 86 games with the Red Sox in just 54 with LA, were his .262 average, .731 OPS, 5 homers and 30 RBI in 185 at-bats enough to secure a spot on the bench for 2024? If the Dodgers quickly tossed him aside after his 2020 contributions, why would we think they'd be in a rush to keep him around for 2024?

When you realize Gavin Lux, Jason Heyward and Miguel Vargas will be in the picture next year, in addition to decisions having to be made on Michael Busch, Jorbit Vivas, Jonny DeLuca and Andy Pages, it seems Hernández is on the outskirts of all that. He doesn't feel like a priority right now. We could be wrong, but we'd bet the Dodgers look to further shake things up with their clubhouse after another disappointing exit.

Julio Urías

Even before he was arrested and charged with felony domestic violence, it felt as if Julio Urías would be leaving the Dodgers in free agency, especially with the way Scott Boras has treated the whole thing. Then, there was hope for a moment, because Urías' inconsistent play in a contract year might've driven the price down and kept him in LA.

But then his alleged actions ruined his entire career, let alone his future with the Dodgers. Urías was placed on administrative leave after being released on $50,000 bail, and being that this is the second time he's been connected to a domestic violence issue, our gut says we won't be seeing him in MLB for a very long time.

Can (and Will) Upgrade

Blake Treinen

Blake Treinen's initial unwillingness to undergo surgery last season ruined 2023 for the Dodgers. The right-hander was insistent he could rehab through whatever shoulder issue he was battling -- even though surgery was recommended -- and he succumbed to the procedure anyway, which knocked him out for another full year. He's thrown just five innings since the start of 2022, and the Dodgers did themselves no favors by guaranteeing his $8 million team option for 2023 after he had gotten injured.

Another front office move of trying to get ahead and save a few million on damaged goods. Can we stop with this, please? Treinen has a club option for 2024 that will cost $7 million. If the Dodgers want to roll the dice after the man hasn't pitched in two years and will be entering his age-36 campaign, then they're truly stuck in their ways.

Daniel Hudson

Ditto for Hudson. He has a $6.5 million team option for 2024 after the Dodgers guaranteed his 2023 salary following a torn ACL in 2022. He pitched just 25 games that year, but the front office looked ahead, figured they could get another bargain and then tacked on another team option.

Hudson appeared in three games this year before suffering another knee injury, which knocked him out for the rest of the season. He's gotten paid $12.5 million for 27.1 innings. Third time will not be a charm. The Dodgers need to decline this team option and look elsewhere in free agency/on the trade market, especially since they probably plan to utilize fellow injured arms JP Feyereisen and Alex Reyes next year.

You can't fill the bullpen with this many ticking time bombs.

David Peralta

Was giving $6.5 million to David Peralta a bad deal? Not necessarily, but he hasn't done much to earn himself another year in LA. Sure, he had some hot stretches in 2023 that helped buoy the offense while delivering some clutch hits, but a .259 average, .675 OPS and 81 OPS+ in 133 games just isn't going to make a difference.

LA would be better off exploring free agency, which will feature guys like Teoscar Hernandez, Adam Duvall, Tommy Pham, Tony Kemp, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Kevin Kiermaier, Mark Canha and others. Just about all of those guys were better than Peralta this year, and would give the Dodgers far more reliable everyday options in the event of an injury.

With Chris Taylor still hanging around and Jason Heyward likely to return, the Dodgers have enough platoon players. One more steady starter in left should do the trick to providing stability.