Thursday, November 6, 2025

Copyrighted by Sarah Morris, 2025

On Thursday, the Los Angeles Dodgers made several roster moves to prepare for the 2026 season.

The Dodgers picked up their options on Max Muncy and Alex Vesia. These players were valuable to the Dodgers’ World Series-winning effort.

When Muncy didn’t play, the Dodgers didn’t win.

In Game 7 of the World Series, Muncy had a crucial solo home run. If he didn’t homer, the Dodgers wouldn’t repeat as World Champions.

Muncy’s worth to the Dodgers is immeasurable. His exceptional knowledge of the strike zone sets an example for the rest of the team. He had a .243 batting average with 19 home runs and 67 RBI in 100 games. If he didn’t have a bone bruise, he would have played more than 100 games. Muncy will always have an oblique strain.

Muncy greatly improved his defense at third base. He may be platooned at third base in the 2026 season because he didn’t hit against left-handed pitching. At 35, Muncy is open to being a bench player if he is a Dodger.

While Muncy was a no-brainer to have $10 million option to be picked up to help the Dodger offense, the Dodgers picked up Alex Vesia’s option to help the Dodger bullpen. Vesia was the only Dodger reliever who didn’t have a disappointing stretch in the 2025 season. While he missed the World Series because of a family emergency, he played a vital role in the Dodger World Championship.

During his time with the Dodgers, Vesia has demonstrated a rubber arm. In 2025, he appeared in 68 games and hurled 59.2 innings. He won 4 and lost 2 with a 3.02 ERA. He can be a closer if Tanner Scott doesn’t bounce back from a horrible performance in the 2025 season.

While the Dodgers kept Muncy and Vesia for the 2026 season, they cut ties with Tony Gonsolin. Since 2019, Gonsolin has been a promising starter who hasn’t reached his potential, even though he was an All-Star in 2022. In 2023, he pitched with a torn UCL since the Dodgers needed a starter. He had Tommy John surgery in August 2023.

Gonsolin missed the entire 2024 season recovering from Tommy John surgery. He came back from that surgery on April 30^th. He never looked like dominating himself. In June, the Dodgers placed Gonsolin on the IL with a painful right elbow. Later, he had surgery to repair a flexor ligament and put an internal brace.

Gonsolin will miss most of the 2026 season with the rehabilitation process. His splitter puts stress on his right elbow. After the 2026 season, Gonsolin will be a free agent.

To clear more roster spots since the Dodgers cannot have any players on the 60-day IL, the Dodgers designated Justin Dean and Michael Grove for assignment. Automatically, Dean was claimed by the San Francisco Giants. Grove, a right-handed pitcher, underwent right shoulder surgery during the 2025 spring training. If no team claims Grove, he can be in the Dodger minor league system.

The Dodger front office doesn’t get any break after winning the World Series. They are trying to make it possible to have a three-peat.

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