Teoscar Hernández, Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler, Blake Treinen and 4 more

The Los Angeles Dodgers closed the book on the 2024 season by winning the World Series on Wednesday, meaning MLB free agency officially began at 6 a.m. PT on Thursday morning.

For the Dodgers, this meant that eight players were no longer under contract with the team.

The group consists of Walker Buehler, Jack Flaherty, Kiké Hernández, Teoscar Hernández, Daniel Hudson, Joe Kelly, Kevin Kiermaier and Blake Treinen.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers have respective team options on Austin Barnes and Miguel Rojas for the 2025 season. Clayton Kershaw has a player option and has already said he will return next year, but isn’t sure if that will be under a new contract or through his current contract to exercise.

After clearing the books ahead of the 2024 offseason, the Dodgers have a group of Tyler Glasnow, Will Smith, Freddie Freeman, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani under contract through at least 2027.

Starting Thursday, teams will have five days to negotiate exclusively with their own free agents before players can contact all other clubs.

Walker Buhler

Walker Buehler was headed for top starting pitcher money in the form of an extension or in free agency. Unfortunately, a second Tommy John surgery in 2022 derailed a huge payday. Buehler returned to action in 2024, but it was clear he wasn’t the same pitcher.

After enduring some more discomfort during the regular season and working to reinvent himself, Buehler showed promise a few times in the postseason.

That culminated in entering the ninth inning of Game 5 to close the World Series.

Jack Flaherty

Jack Flaherty signed a one-contract deal with the Detroit Tigers after four injury-riddled and inconsistent seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals and Baltimore Orioles.

He thrived while in Detroit with a 2.95 ERA at the trade deadline, sending him to the Dodgers for the remainder of the season. Flaherty’s numbers dipped a bit when they joined LA and there was some inconsistency during the postseason.

Kike Hernández

Kiké Hernández has been a solid player throughout his time with the Dodgers, but his real value comes in the playoffs, which he proved again multiple times in October. His 15 postseason home runs rank 10th most among active players.

The Dodgers could certainly use his services to strengthen the bench next season.

Teoscar Hernández

The Dodgers’ acquisition of Teoscar Hernández was lost in the excitement over the additions of Ohtani and Yamamoto, but he was a vital part of their offensive attack and a much-needed counter against left-handed pitching.

In a weak free agent market and after a down year with the Seattle Mariners in 2023, Hernández signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers and did more than enough to earn a nice payday somewhere.

Hernández has expressed interest in re-signing with the Dodgers, but that could prove challenging if other suitors are aggressive.

Daniel Hudson

Daniel Hudson was a solid middle-inning option for the Dodgers in 2024, posting a 3.00 ERA in 63 innings. There were bumps along the way, and they continued into the World Series.

But Hudson was part of a World Series team and decided to retire.

Joe Kelly

Joe Kelly’s 2024 season was plagued by injuries and mediocre results. At 36 years old with replacement-level production the past three seasons, Kelly will likely sign elsewhere.

Kevin Kiermaier

Kevin Kiermaier is expected to formally announce his retirement after 12 seasons in the Majors.

Blake Treinen

After missing most of the 2022 season and all of 2023 while recovering from right shoulder surgery, Blake Treinen had one of his best performances as a professional at age 36. Season 2020.

After pitching 1.93 in 46.2 innings, re-signing Treinen is a high priority among Dodgers free agents.

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