Winning a World Series is supposed to buy a front office some peace and quiet. Winning two back-to-back? That should practically earn Andrew Friedman a year-long nap on a beach in Maui. But if you’ve spent five minutes on social media lately, you know that isn’t how it works in Echo Park. The Los Angeles Dodgers news and rumors mill is churning harder than ever as we creep toward the 2026 season.
It’s honestly kind of wild. Most teams would be taking a victory lap, yet here we are, dissecting waiver claims and debating if the roster is "getting too old."
The big talk of the week? The Dodgers basically just swapped some minor league depth for a Swiss Army knife. They claimed Ryan Fitzgerald off waivers from the Minnesota Twins. If you’re asking "Who?", I don't blame you. He’s 31 and didn’t even make his MLB debut until last year. But he plays everywhere. Literally. With Kiké Hernández currently sitting in free agency and coming off elbow surgery, Fitzgerald feels like the "just in case" insurance policy.
The Kyle Tucker Situation: Is a Blockbuster Actually Happening?
Okay, let's talk about the thing everyone is screaming about in the group chats. Kyle Tucker.
Multiple reports, including some noise over at Dodgers Nation, confirmed the team actually met with the ex-Astros star. Now, wait. Before you go buying a #30 jersey, look at the math. The Dodgers are already staring down a massive luxury tax bill—especially after resetting the market by giving Edwin Diaz a record-breaking $69 million deal to be the new closer.
Adding Tucker would be a "luxury on top of a luxury" type of move.
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- The Fit: He’s a lefty bat with elite defense. The Dodgers have a hole in the outfield left by Michael Conforto.
- The Competition: The Mets and Blue Jays are also lurking, and they might have more "desperation" money to throw around.
- The Reality: The Dodgers don't need him to win the division, but since when has "need" stopped them?
Some people think the Dodgers are just driving up the price for everyone else. Others think Andrew Friedman is bored and wants to see how many All-Stars he can fit into one clubhouse without the universe collapsing. Honestly, it’s probably somewhere in the middle.
Shohei Ohtani’s Arm and the 2026 Rotation
We can't talk about Los Angeles Dodgers news and rumors without mentioning the man himself. Shohei Ohtani.
He’s been a DH for what feels like forever now, but 2026 is supposed to be the year of the Two-Way Return. MLB Network just spent an entire day celebrating him, but the real news is on the mound. Dave Roberts has been pretty cagey, but the consensus is that Ohtani won't be throwing meaningful innings until after the All-Star break.
Think about that rotation for a second:
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto
- Blake Snell
- Tyler Glasnow
- Roki Sasaki (who is still battling for that 5th spot)
- Shohei Ohtani (eventually)
It's basically a video game roster. But there are cracks. Glasnow and Snell aren't exactly known for pitching 200 innings a year without a trip to the IL. That’s why the Freddy Peralta rumors won’t die. Analysts like Jay Staph have been pushing a trade idea that sends prospects like Ben Casparius and Alex Freeland to Milwaukee for Peralta.
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Is it overkill? Probably. Is it smart? Absolutely. You can never have enough arms when you're trying to three-peat.
The "Vibe" Check: What’s Up With Kiké and Bo?
It feels wrong to see a Dodgers roster without Kiké Hernández. He’s the emotional glue. But that November surgery really complicated things. He’s still a free agent, and while most fans expect him to eventually sign a one-year "welcome home" deal, the Fitzgerald waiver claim makes you wonder if the front office is looking for younger, healthier legs.
Then there’s Bo Bichette.
A few weeks ago, it looked like a lock. Now? Not so much. Insiders are saying the deal has "fizzled." Bichette is apparently talking to the Phillies, and the Dodgers seem content with their internal options. Between Mookie Betts potentially moving around and the emergence of younger guys in the system, the urgency to pay Bo a nine-figure salary just isn't there anymore.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 40-Man Crunch
People see the Dodgers making "boring" moves—like signing Austin Banda or claiming a guy off waivers—and they think the team is getting cheap.
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That’s not it.
The 40-man roster is currently a game of Tetris. To bring in a big name like Kyle Tucker or trade for Freddy Peralta, someone has to go. We already saw Tony Gonsolin get DFA’d, which was a tough pill for some fans to swallow given his history. The front office is being ruthless right now because they know the window for a three-peat is open right now.
What to Watch for Next
If you're looking for the next big milestone, keep your eyes on February 8th. That's the expected report date for pitchers and catchers at Camelback Ranch.
We’ll likely see one more "marginal" move before then. Don't expect a superstar signing every day, but don't be surprised if a veteran outfielder like Harrison Bader or even a reunion with Michael Kopech happens on a low-risk deal.
The Dodgers aren't just building a team; they're building a defensive fortress. They know the rest of the NL West is catching up—especially with the Rockies somehow trying to find their own version of Ohtani (good luck with that).
Your Action Plan for Following the Offseason:
- Track the 40-Man: Any minor waiver claim usually means a bigger move is being set up. Watch who gets designated for assignment next.
- Ignore the "Ohtani is pitching Opening Day" Hype: He isn't. Set your expectations for July. Anything earlier is a bonus.
- Monitor the Outfield: If the Dodgers don't land Tucker, look for a trade involving Dalton Rushing. He's their biggest trade chip, and they might use him to land a controllable outfielder before spring training.
The goal is a three-peat. Everything else is just noise. But in Los Angeles, the noise is half the fun.