Alex Vesia, the Dodgers’ bullpen stalwart for the last six seasons, is officially hitting the open market for the first time in his career, and let me tell you, this guy is about to get PAID. After making a total of $6.9 million over his three arbitration-eligible years, including $3.65 million in 2026, he’s projected to top that entire three-year sum annually in free agency. Folks are saying he could snag an average annual value of $14.3 million. Vesia is easily one of the top free agents out there, ranking as high as 27th overall among a pool of at least 183 players. The market for him is going to be fierce.
The Numbers Speak for Themselves
You don’t just become a fixture in a bullpen like the Dodgers’ for six seasons without putting in work. Vesia was acquired before the 2021 season, and since then, he has racked up 367 games pitched for them. That’s good for 13th-most in Dodgers history, and seventh-most among all their relievers. He’s heading into his age-31 season, and the track record is clear. Over the last three seasons, among the 392 major league pitchers with at least 120 innings, Vesia stands out big time. He ranks 14th in ERA with a killer 2.45, 16th in xERA at 2.81, and a jaw-dropping 12th in strikeout rate, fanning batters at a 32.7 percent clip. Yeah, his walk rate is on the higher side, 18th highest at 11.8 percent in that group, but he has consistently found a way to make it work. He also piled up the appearances, pitching in the seventh-most games in the majors with 207 over those three years.
In 2026 specifically, Vesia led the Dodgers with 72 appearances. He posted a 2.64 ERA and a 2.68 xERA. His strikeout rate that year was 31.2 percent, marking the fifth time in his six years with the Dodgers that his strikeout rate exceeded 31 percent. His walk rate in 2026 did tick up to 13.5 percent, which was his highest since 2021. Even with that, the dude was a workhorse and delivered.
What the Experts Are Projecting
So, what kind of bag is Alex Vesia about to secure? The experts are all over the map, but it’s clear it’s a big one. Fox Sports, with Rowan Kavner and Deesha Thosar, is throwing out a $14.3 million average annual value. MLB Trade Rumors sees a two-year, $26 million deal. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel is right there with a two-year, $25 million projection. The Athletic’s Keith Law thinks it will be two years, $23 million. NBC Sports’ Matthew Pouliot is even more bullish, predicting a three-year, $33 million contract. FanGraphs, with Ben Clemens, suggests two years, $18 million, and their crowdsourced median is two years, $16 million.
That kind of cash makes sense when you look at his ranking. He’s arguably the second-best left-handed relief pitcher on the market, only behind Adrián Morejón, who already got a qualifying offer from the Padres. Kiley McDaniel from ESPN really dug into what makes Vesia special: “Vesia peppers the top of the zone with his 90-94 mph fastball that has huge ride, created by his high arm slot, the most vertical arm slot in baseball.” That unique combo of traits leads to “odd angles and more whiffs than you’d expect, as well as pop-ups, but also a number of fly balls and walks.” McDaniel sums it up by saying it all adds up to a “setup-type reliever who should land a two- or even three-year deal.” The only flicker of concern noted is that his fastball velocity has dropped slightly.
But even with that slight dip, the demand will be there. Alex Vesia is about to cash in big time, securing his first major long-term deal and becoming a very wealthy man. Whoever signs him is getting a proven, high-strikeout setup guy who has consistently performed at a top level. Keep your eyes peeled, because this free agency is going to be wild.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by True Blue LA.
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