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Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilled
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Arizona Fall League: Chase Harlan’s replacement wins HR Derby
Aaron Parker, a Blue Jays prospect, stepped in as a last‑minute replacement for Dodgers’ Chase Harlan and captured the 2026 Arizona Fall League Home Run Derby at Salt River Fields. With under 24 hours' notice, Parker powered through the brackets, beating Alex McCoy 12‑7, edging Brooks Bryan 5‑4, and cruising past Taj Peete in the final. He finished with 19 homers—four more than any rival—to claim the crown on November 7, 2026, in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Dodgers notes: Tarik Skubal, Josue De Paula
The offseason spotlight is on Dodgers free‑agent right‑hander Tarik Skubal, the two‑time AL Cy Young winner who could command interest from the Mets, Cubs and Padres. Dodgers insiders suggest a short‑term, high‑value deal—more akin to Kyle Tucker’s contract—rather than a mega long‑term pact. At 30 for the 2027 season, Skubal’s value hinges on maintaining elite performance. Meanwhile, outfielder Josue De Paula is training with former Gold Glove star Jackie Bradley Jr. to boost his defensive credibility for next year’s roster.
Dodgers 40-man roster for 2026-27 offseason
The Dodgers’ 40-man roster for the 2026‑27 offseason is now set, with a full rundown of every transaction from the postseason to the start of spring training. A looming CBA expiration on Dec. 1, 2026 could trigger a lockout, mirroring the 2021‑22 delay. The roster features 21 pitchers—including RHP Tyler Glasnow (33) and LHP Blake Snell (34)—one two‑way star Shohei Ohtani, and key position players like Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Kyle Tucker. Notably, on Oct. 29 the club saw Tarik Skubal, Miguel Rojas, Kiké Hernández, Evan Phillips, Alex Vesia, Blake Treinen, Brusdar Graterol, Eric Lauer and Kris Bubic file for free agency. Detailed links let fans explore each move.
More zeroes for Cody Morse in the Arizona Fall League
Cody Morse shines for the Glendale Desert Dogs, tossing two flawless innings in a 1-0 loss to the Scottsdale Scorpions in the Arizona Fall League. The left‑hander inherited runners with two outs in the sixth, stranded them, and added a scoreless seventh, leaving his AFL line with a 0.00 ERA, one unearned run in eight innings, 14 strikeouts and a 42.4% strikeout rate. Dodgers prospects accounted for three of Glendale's five singles, while third baseman Chase Harlan went 2‑for‑2. Meanwhile, former Missouri quarterback Sam Horn, now a Dodgers minor‑league pitcher, posted a 3.86 ERA over seven AFL games. The night’s final score: Scottsdale 1, Glendale 0, with a home‑run derby set for Saturday.
Dodgers hire Caroline Perry as chief operating officer
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced the appointment of Caroline Perry as chief operating officer, effective November 30, succeeding retiring COO Bob Wolfe. Perry joins as an EVP after 16 years with the San Diego Padres, where she helped secure the 2016 All‑Star Game, develop Gallagher Square and boost sales in 2012 and 2026. She becomes one of only three female COOs in MLB, highlighting growing opportunities for women in senior sports roles. The move underscores the Dodgers’ focus on strong off‑field leadership alongside their on‑field success.
Aaron Bates won’t be back as Dodgers hitting coach
The Los Angeles Dodgers will part ways with hitting coach Aaron Bates after eight years on the staff, marking the first coaching change since 2024. Despite a multiyear extension offer, the 42‑year‑old and the club couldn’t reach an agreement, according to MLB Trade Rumors. Bates, who served as the major‑league hitting coach for four seasons and previously held dual roles in the minor‑league system, is leaving after a 13‑year tenure with the organization. No immediate replacement has been named.
Dodgers 2027 salary arbitration projections
A looming MLB lockout throws the 2027 salary‑arbitration timeline into uncertainty for the Dodgers. Normally the exchange date lands in early January, but with the CBA set to expire Dec. 1, deals may be delayed far beyond that deadline. The article lists six arbitration‑eligible Dodgers—including Brock Stewart, Jake Cousins, Alex Call, Emmet Sheehan, Gavin Stone and rookie Super‑Two Andy Pages—and compares projection figures from MLB Trade Rumors, Cot’s Baseball Contracts, and Just Baseball. Pages, fresh off an All‑Star year and a Gold Glove nod, could command a sizable raise. Injured pitchers Stewart and Cousins also feature, with their 2026 salaries ranging from $800K to $1.3 M and projected 2027 earnings up to $5.6 M.
Arizona Fall League: Anson Aroz records rare hit in Desert Dogs’ defeat
In a 6-3 loss to the Mesa Solar Sox, Desert Dogs rookie Anson Aroz recorded the only hit for Glendale, a rare contribution after the team missed Chase Harlan. Aroz reached scoring position on a sixth‑inning wild pitch but was left stranded when Wyatt Sanford struck out. Dodgers prospect Williams Salazar was the sole Glendale pitcher without a hit, pitching a scoreless sixth with two strikeouts and one walk. The Dogs now chase their 10th win in the Arizona Fall League against the .500 Scorpions on Friday at 5:30 p.m. PT.
Dodgers notes: Kyle Tucker, Andy Pages, Teoscar Hernández
Kyle Tucker’s first year in Los Angeles ends on a high note after a late‑season surge (.333/.406/.667 in his final 17 games) and a clutch 2‑run homer in Game 1 of the NLDS. As he approaches the second year of his $240 million, four‑year deal, analysts debate whether his September bounce was a fluke or a sign of his true form returning in 2027. Meanwhile, center‑fielder Andy Pages, an All‑Star who led the Dodgers with 85 RBI and 20 defensive runs saved, heads into arbitration, and outfielder Teoscar Hernández appears on trade‑watch lists, with the Cubs, Phillies and Mariners as likely destinations. Finally, pitcher Blake Snell continues to pitch for teammate Tarik Skubal’s return to L.A., citing personal ties in a recent SportsNet LA interview.
2026 Dodgers minor league review: Easton Shelton
Twenty‑year‑old left‑hander Easton Shelton blasts his way through the California League, earning MVP honors for the LA Dodgers’ Single‑A affiliate, the Ontario Tower Buzzers. After signing as an undrafted free agent in 2023, Shelton posted a .297/.403/.644 line with a league‑record 37 homers, 112 RBI and a 1.047 OPS, including a 500‑plus‑foot grand slam. He led his team in every offensive category and posted the second‑best OPS in all of minor‑league baseball. Highlights include a 5‑for‑6, two‑homer, five‑RBI game in July that powered an 11‑5 win. Despite his breakout, he remains off Baseball Prospectus’ top‑ten Dodgers list, poised to face higher‑level competition in 2027.
Shohei Ohtani, Max Muncy up for Silver Slugger Awards
Max Muncy and Shohei Ohtani emerge as the Los Angeles Dodgers’ finalists for the 2026 National League Silver Slugger Awards. Ohtani, the designated hitter, posted a .377 OBP, .889 OPS, 30 homers, 26 doubles and 11 steals despite late‑season injuries, adding to his four career Silver Sluggers. Muncy, after a career‑high 149 games, led NL third basemen with a .837 OPS, .490 slugging and 29 homers. Both trail only one teammate—Kyle Schwarber at DH and Alex Bregman at third base—in the top‑two voting. Winners will be announced on November 17.
Chase Harlan, Luke Fox will represent Dodgers in Fall Stars Game
The MLB announced the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game roster, naming Dodgers third baseman Chase Harlan and pitcher Luke Fox to the National League squad that takes the field Sunday night at Salt River Fields. Harlan is hitting .276 with five homers and 17 RBI in 16 games for the Glendale Desert Dogs, while Fox boasts a 4.09 ERA, 14 strikeouts in 11 innings. Fans can still vote for a final NL spot, choosing between Dodgers prospects Eduardo Quintero (ranked #3), Charles Davalan (#7) and Padres infielder Justin DeCriscio. The game streams on MLB Network at 5 p.m. PT.
Outfielders headline Dodgers top prospects at Baseball Prospectus
Baseball Prospectus ranks Dodgers outfielders at the top of its 2027 prospect list, led by José De Paula—who capped 2026 with a September MLB debut and postseason appearance. Mike Sirota jumps to second with a .307/.461/.526 line, 28 doubles, 17 homers and 100 walks across High‑A, Double‑A and Triple‑A, while Eduardo Quintero lands third. Fellow outfielder Charles Davalan sits seventh and is adding second base in the Arizona Fall League. Shortstop Emil Morales rounds out the top four, and former first‑round pick Bo Lowrance enters the top ten at No. 8 ahead of his pro debut.
13 Dodgers among scores of minor league free agents
Matt Eddy’s Baseball America report lists 13 Los Angeles Dodgers players who entered minor‑league free agency after the 2026 roster deadline. Among them, three—Charlie Barnes, Cole Irvin and Ryan Fitzgerald—spent time on the Dodgers’ 40‑man roster, with Irvin topping the Pacific Coast League with a 3.33 ERA and 12 wins. Two, including Irvin, logged major‑league innings, while five were non‑roster spring‑training invitees such as Jerming Rosario (3.17 ERA, four saves in Triple‑A) and Nick Robertson (1.13 ERA over 46 games). The article details each player’s 2026 stats, injury history and contract status, offering a snapshot of the organization’s depth and upcoming free‑agent market.
Let’s figure out Alex Vesia’s contract in free agency
Alex Vesia, the 31‑year‑old left‑handed reliever who logged 367 games for the Dodgers and led the club with 72 appearances in 2026, enters free agency as one of nine Dodgers on the market. Over his three arbitration years he earned $6.9 million, and projections now range from a $14.3 M AAV on Fox Sports to a 3‑year, $33 M deal on NBC Sports, with most analysts favoring a 2‑year contract worth $16‑26 million. Ranked between the 27th‑ and 54th best free agent overall, Vesia is considered the second‑best left‑handed reliever after Adrián Morejón. The article weighs his strong 2.64 ERA, 31.2% strikeout rate, and slight fastball velocity dip to gauge his likely deal and destination.
Arizona Fall League: Chase Harlan smashes his fifth home run
Chase Harlan powers the Glendale Desert Dogs to a 10-5 victory over the Mesa Solar Sox, belting his fifth home run of the Arizona Fall League in the seventh inning. Harlan’s blast lifts a 4-1 lead, and he now ties for second in league homers while posting a .281 average and a 1.004 OPS. Fellow Dodgers prospect Eduardo Quintero adds an RBI and leads the team with six stolen bases. Starter Briggs McKenie throws four scoreless innings, and reliever Brooks Auger strands a bases‑loaded jam in the sixth. The Dogs next face the Surprise Saguaros on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. PT.
Dodgers notes: Tarik Skubal, Shohei Ohtani
Free agency kicks off with Dodgers and Mets battling for left‑hander Tarik Skubal, who could command a $300‑$400 million contract after a strong 2026 showing. The Chicago Cubs also covet him but may lack the money to compete. ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez notes Skubal enjoyed his brief stint in LA, while Buster Olney compares his prospective deal to Kyle Tucker’s. Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani’s three‑run blast in Game 4 of the NLCS signals a potential bounce‑back for the two‑time NL MVP ahead of the 2027 season.
MLB owners propose salary cap & floor beginning in 2028
MLB owners have unveiled a new labor proposal that delays a league‑wide salary cap until the 2028 season, making 2027 a transition year. The plan sets a $258.2 million cap and a $180.2 million floor, a modest $108 million net increase over current payrolls. Twelve teams would need to add $636 million to meet the floor, while eight would cut $528 million to stay under the cap. The MLBPA warns the cap will slash player pay, eliminate guaranteed contracts and cut amateur signing bonuses by $400 million. The owners do raise the 2027 minimum salary to $1 million for veterans and $900,000 for rookies, the largest YoY jump in history. Additional tweaks include ending qualifying offers, adjusting free‑agency eligibility, and reducing minor‑league option limits.
MLB roster cleanup has begun. No Dodgers moves yet
The MLB offseason kicks off as the Brewers clinch the World Series and free agency opens. Nine Dodgers, including starter Tarik Skubal and four veteran relievers, hit free agency, while the team adds Ben Casparius, Jake Cousins, Will Klein and Gavin Stone back onto the 40-man roster, leaving LA with 37 spots. No Dodgers were involved in Monday’s 17 waiver claims or 30 outright moves, but qualifying offers were extended to eight players league‑wide. Upcoming deadlines—Nov. 17 for protecting prospects and Nov. 20 for tenders—could spark Dodger moves, echoing last year’s non‑tender and re‑sign of Evan Phillips and Nick Frasso.
Shohei Ohtani will finish top 3 in NL MVP voting
Shohei Ohtani is set to finish in the top three of NL MVP voting for a sixth consecutive year, though he won’t capture the award. The Dodgers' two‑way star posted a 30‑home‑run, 14‑start season with a 1.79 ERA, .275/.377/.512 slash line, 139 wRC+ (5th NL) and 2.73 xERA (3rd NL). He tied for second in NL fWAR (6.6) behind Cubs outfielder Pete Crow‑Armstrong, who is favored to win, with Brewers infielder Brice Turang also in the top three. The MVP results are slated for November 12.
Another World Series ends on the road
The Milwaukee Brewers capture their first franchise World Series title on October 28, 2026, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 5‑2 in Game 5 at Tropicana Field. The win continues a 13‑year streak where the championship is clinched on the road, with only the 2022 Astros managing a home‑field victory. Historically, road teams have won the Fall Classic 67 times versus 55 home wins. The article notes the Brewers’ path—two home wins, a 3‑0 lead after a road triumph, a Game 4 loss, and a decisive Game 5—mirroring the Dodgers’ 2024 pattern, and highlights the rarity of celebrating a title in front of a home crowd.
Kaima Taira, Hiromi Itoh among Japanese pitchers posted to MLB
The Seibu Lions and Nippon‑Ham Fighters will post right‑handers Kaima Taira (27) and Hiromi Itoh (29) to MLB this offseason, joining a wave of Japanese talent headed to the majors. Taira posted a 1.36 ERA with 141 strikeouts in 146 innings for Seibu in 2026, while Itoh recorded a 3.18 ERA with 159 strikeouts in 172 ⅔ innings last year. Both are eligible for posting between Nov. 1 and Dec. 5, with a 45‑day signing window before the December 1 lockout. Recent Japanese postings include Murakami, Okamoto and Imai, who secured multi‑year, multi‑million contracts.
Dodgers notes: Bob Wolfe retires, Ross Newhan dies, MLB lockout
Longtime Dodgers executive vice president and chief operating officer Bob Wolfe announced he will retire at the end of 2026, moving into an advisory role after more than 14 seasons overseeing day‑to‑day operations since the Guggenheim takeover in 2012. Wolfe, who has worked 47 years in team sports alongside Dodgers president Stan Kasten, previously helped guide the Braves to 12 straight division titles and the Dodgers to 14 consecutive postseason berths. The post also notes Hall of Fame writer Ross Newhan’s death at 89 and references Evan Drellich’s detailed outlook on the looming MLB lockout.
One Year Later
On November 1, 2026 True Blue LA reflects on the 2026 season, marking the NLCS as the end of an era and recalling the ‘greatest game ever played’ that began a year earlier. The author recounts a nostalgic trip to Oracle Park with his mother, using the unique Vallejo‑to‑San Francisco game‑day ferry that departs an hour before tip‑off and returns 20 minutes after the final pitch. He shares personal anecdotes—his first Bay Area move, a law‑school friend Louie, and his mother’s quest to visit seven ballparks—while linking the experience to the dramatic Game 7 of the 2025 World Series and the chaotic Game 3 of the 2026 World Series at Rogers Centre. The piece blends past baseball milestones with a fresh look at Bay Area transit and stadium culture.
Arizona Fall League: Chase Harlan walks it off with a three-run homer
Chase Harlan propels the Glendale Desert Dogs to a dramatic 9-8 walk‑off win over the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League. After a shaky start from starter Luke Fox, who allowed two runs, Glendale rallies in the ninth inning, capped by Harlan’s two‑out, three‑run homer that sends the crowd home. Harlan finishes the fall with a .959 OPS and his fourth homer of the season. The victory highlights contributions from six Dodgers relievers, including Cody Morse’s scoreless frame. Glendale’s next game is Monday at 12:30 p.m. PT against Peoria, with starters yet to be named.
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