Miguel Rojas will play his final season with the Dodgers. The World Series hero has reportedly signed a one-year, $5.5MM contract with Los Angeles. Rojas, a client of the Beverly Hills Sports Commission, announced in October that he would retire after the 2026 season. He will reportedly move directly into a player development position with the Dodgers once his career is over. This will increase the team’s 40-man roster to 38 once official.
This will be Rojas’ fourth consecutive season in Los Angeles and his fifth as a Dodger. In 2014, he broke into the major leagues with the team, but was traded to the Marlins after his rookie season. Rojas spent eight seasons in Miami, most of them as the everyday shortstop, until the Fish traded him back to the Dodgers in the 2022-23 offseason. He has been in a utility role the past three seasons and has been a strong contributor off the bench for Dave Roberts the last two years.
Rojas owns a .273/.328/.404 batting line in 654 games over the past two seasons. He remains one of the hardest strikeout players in the league. Rojas no longer an everyday shortstop but could be a backup Mookie Bates Also logging more time between second and third base. He remains a quality utility tool and is viewed as a clubhouse leader in Miami and Los Angeles. The Dodgers intend to keep him with the team after his playing days, reflecting his clearly strong relationship with the coaching staff and front office.
This all points to the possibility that the Dodgers will bring Rojas back no matter what happens in the postseason. He then cemented his place in franchise lore and baseball history with one of the most dramatic and improbable home runs of all time.
Roberts named Rojas to the starting lineup for Games Six and Seven of the World Series. He played against Jeff Hoffman. With the Dodgers trailing by one run, Rojas (who had never hit more than 11 home runs in a season) brought Huffman to left field to tie the game. In one of the most impactful single games of all time, the Dodgers won in the extras will smith home run Sean Bieber.
The shift likely won’t have much of an impact on Rojas’ contract. His $5.5MM salary is slightly higher than his $5MM salary in 2024 and ’25. Regardless, the Dodgers will likely have him back in a utility role. He will provide a right-handed complement to left-handed batting Max Muncy and Kim Hye Sung Around the infield. Dodgers may seek extension Kiké Hernandez Taking on a similar job, though again it doesn’t leave a lot of playing time for the respected prospect Alex Freeland.
According to RosterResource, the Dodgers’ projected salary next season is $337. Of course, much of this money is deferred. Their competitive balance tax, adjusted for the deferred value of the contract, is estimated at $319MM. They are already in the highest tax bracket and pay the highest fees as triple repeat payers, which means they pay 110% tax on any additional fees. They will pay $6.05MM in taxes on the deal, bringing the total investment to $11.55MM. That’s not much by the standards of the Dodgers, who are hoping Rojas can become the first team since the Yankees from 1998-2000 to win three consecutive championships.
Daniel Álvarez-Montes of El Extrabase first reported the signing and terms. Photo by John E. Sokolowski of Imagn Images.
