As the dust settles on the 2025 season reviews—all 73 players meticulously analyzed—there’s no better way to kick off 2026 than by diving into the always-intriguing world of salary arbitration. But here’s where it gets controversial: with the exchange deadline looming next week, the Dodgers find themselves at a crossroads with four players eligible for arbitration. Why is this a big deal? Because it’s not just about numbers—it’s about strategy, relationships, and the future of the team. And this is the part most people miss: arbitration can be a double-edged sword, revealing both the business side of baseball and the human element that often gets lost in the shuffle.
Let’s rewind for a moment. At the start of the offseason, the Dodgers had nine players eligible for arbitration. Fast forward to now, and that number has shrunk to four, thanks to some strategic roster moves. Tony Gonsolin was designated for assignment, and Evan Phillips was non-tendered—both pitchers recovering from Tommy John surgery and just shy of free agency. Michael Grove was sent outright into free agency, further trimming the list. The Dodgers also avoided arbitration with Ben Rortvedt by signing him to a $1.25 million deal, but in a surprising twist, they attempted to sneak him through waivers, only for the Reds to swoop in and claim him. Meanwhile, Alex Vesia’s club option was exercised, sidestepping arbitration altogether.
So, who’s left in the arbitration spotlight? Four key players:
- Reliever Brusdar Graterol
- Reliever Anthony Banda
- Reliever Brock Stewart
- Outfielder Alex Call
Mark your calendars: Thursday, January 8 is the salary exchange date. This is when the Major League Baseball Labor Relations Department and the MLB Players Association file their respective salary figures. While negotiations can happen anytime, many teams treat this date as a quasi-deadline. If no agreement is reached by then, it’s off to arbitration hearings—a process that, according to the collective bargaining agreement, must take place between January 26 and February 20. The Dodgers, under Andrew Friedman’s leadership, have a remarkable track record here: in 11 years, 90.8% of arbitration-eligible players (79 out of 87) have settled before the exchange date. Even more intriguing? Six of the eight players who did exchange figures later agreed to multi-year deals.
But here’s the kicker: arbitration hearings can get messy. It’s player vs. team, and emotions often run high. Remember Pedro Guerrero in 1983, who famously wished harm on the arbitrator? Or the Dodgers arguing that Mike Scioscia’s high on-base percentage was actually a liability? Even George Steinbrenner once called arbitration “the cancer of baseball.” These hearings force teams and players into a zero-sum game: the three-person panel must choose one salary figure—no compromises allowed.
The Dodgers have only been to two arbitration hearings in the last 18 years—both in 2020 with Joc Pederson and Pedro Báez. Pederson lost, settling for $7.75 million instead of his requested $9 million, while Báez won, securing $4 million over the Dodgers’ $3.5 million offer. Will 2026 see another hearing? Probably not. Brusdar Graterol, coming off shoulder surgery and a year without pitching, is likely to settle near his 2025 salary of $2.8 million. Brock Stewart and Anthony Banda, with relatively modest 2025 salaries of $880,000 and $1 million respectively, are also strong candidates for quick agreements—especially Stewart, who’s recovering from shoulder surgery. Alex Call, eligible for arbitration for the first time after 322 at-bats in 2025, rounds out the group.
While all four players seem poised to reach agreements by January 8, we’ll take a closer look at each case individually. Below are the projected 2026 salaries, based on estimates from MLB Trade Rumors and Cot’s Baseball Contracts:
| Player | Service Time | 2025 Salary | 2026 Cot’s | 2026 MLBTR | 2026 Average |
|---------------------|------------------|-----------------|----------------|----------------|------------------|
| Brusdar Graterol | 5.167 | $2,800,000 | $2,800,000 | $2,800,000 | $2,800,000 |
| Anthony Banda | 4.135 | $1,000,000 | $1,550,000 | $1,700,000 | $1,625,000 |
| Brock Stewart | 4.093 | $880,000 | $1,250,000 | $1,400,000 | $1,325,000 |
| Alex Call | 2.161 | $769,100 | $1,400,000 | $1,500,000 | $1,450,000 |
Now, here’s the question for you: Is arbitration a necessary evil in baseball, or does it do more harm than good? Do you think the Dodgers’ approach to arbitration is the right one, or should they take a harder line? Let us know in the comments—this is a conversation worth having!
