LOS ANGELES — The World Series champion Dodgers officially began the offseason by picking up the club options in the contracts of third baseman Max Muncy and relief pitcher Alex Vesia before Thursday’s deadline.
Muncy signed a two-year, $24 million contract extension following the 2023 season, which included an option for 2026 at a $10 million salary.
Vesia is arbitration-eligible but signed a one-year contract for $2.25 million in January that included a club option for 2026 at $3.65 million.
The 35-year-old Muncy hit .243 with 19 home runs and an .846 OPS this season and became the franchise’s all-time leader in postseason home runs when he hit one during the National League Championship Series and two in the World Series for a total of 16.
But Muncy was limited to 100 games due to injuries after playing just 73 in 2024. In both seasons, the Dodgers’ offense was significantly less productive when Muncy was out of the lineup.
“I think the one thing that I always attribute it to is when I’m in there it allows everyone to be themselves,” Muncy said midseason during one of those downturns. “You don’t have to have a guy try to have an at-bat like I usually have. I know I hit home runs and I have some power, but the big thing that I do is I make the pitcher work.
“I make him throw a lot of pitches, I make him get stressed out there on the mound. Sure, I may not always get a hit. I don’t hit for a high average. But I get on base a ton. I create traffic on the bases. It’s something that causes stress for the pitcher. It causes them to sweat more, to work more. … And when he gets through me, he takes that breath of fresh air and that next guy doesn’t have to worry about ‘I need to see some pitches.’ He can just be aggressive or do what he does.”
Vesia was second on the team with 68 appearances during the regular season this year and has made more than 60 relief appearances in three of the past four seasons. The 29-year-old posted a 3.02 ERA with five saves and a 0.99 WHIP (lowest among relievers on the team).
Vesia was unavailable for the World Series due to an undisclosed family matter.
Acquired from the Miami Marlins in a February 2021 trade, Vesia has a 2.67 ERA over 295 appearances in five seasons with the Dodgers.