Dodgers avoid arb with all but one, exchange figures with Vesia
LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers avoided arbitration with all but one of their eligible players on Thursday, sources told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.
Relievers Anthony Banda, Brusdar Graterol, Michael Kopech and Evan Phillips are all officially under contract for the 2025 season after Thursday's deadline to agree to contracts with arbitration-eligible players. Lefty Alex Vesia did not reach agreement with the team and could go to an arbitration hearing.
Here¡¯s the salary breakdown for each, per Feinsand (the Dodgers did not confirm financial details):
- Banda: $1 million
- Graterol: $2.8 million
- Kopech: $5.2 million
- Phillips: $6.1 million
Clubs had until 10 a.m. PT on Thursday to settle with their arbitration-eligible players. Any clubs and players who did not come to an agreement must exchange salary figures before scheduling a hearing.
Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May were also eligible for arbitration, but both agreed to one-year deals for 2025 ahead of last November's tender deadline. Gonsolin will earn $5.4 million, and May's salary is $2.135 million. Neither has pitched since 2023 after undergoing major surgeries.
Banda was arbitration-eligible for the first time in his career. Acquired from the Guardians last May for cash considerations, the 31-year-old left-hander became a key member of the Dodgers¡¯ bullpen, posting a 3.08 ERA in 48 outings. Banda also appeared in 10 postseason games for L.A., allowing just one earned run in eight innings.
After missing the first four months with a right shoulder injury, Graterol was limited to just seven regular-season appearances after hurting his hamstring in his 2024 debut. The flame-throwing righty pitched in three World Series games for the Dodgers, but he will again miss at least the first half of 2025 after undergoing right shoulder labrum surgery last Nov. 14.
Kopech, who came to L.A. in the three-team trade at last year¡¯s Deadline that also brought in Tommy Edman, allowed just three earned runs in 24 innings (1.13 ERA) down the stretch. He saved six games for the Dodgers (and nine for the White Sox before the trade), so he could be an option to close games in 2025, his last season before hitting free agency.
Phillips was once again one of the Dodgers¡¯ top relievers in 2024, and he really rose to the occasion when it mattered by tossing 6 2/3 scoreless innings between the National League Division Series and NL Championship Series. He was left off the World Series roster after his arm didn¡¯t bounce back the way the team had hoped it would in between outings. Assuming all goes well with his offseason throwing program, Phillips should be in the conversation for the closer role again in 2025.
After a down 2023, Vesia had one of the finest seasons of his career with a 1.76 ERA across 67 outings in ¡¯24. Like Phillips, he had to sit out a postseason round with an injury, but he pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings between the NLDS and World Series.
Vesia filed at $2.35 million, and the Dodgers filed at $2.05 million, per Feinsand. The two sides can still negotiate before the arbitration hearing takes place.