Walter: Dodgers Not for Sale ‘No Matter What’

Mark Walter made it explicit: we’re not going anywhere. The Dodgers owner told Fabian Ardaya at The New York Times he won’t sell the franchise “no matter what”—a statement that matters more than it might seem on the surface. Walter’s weathering a federal investigation and liquidating other holdings, so publicly committing to keep the Dodgers sends a clear message to Friedman, the players, and everyone watching: the money’s here, the owner’s locked in, and we’re building for the long haul.

This matters operationally. We’ve got nine free agents hitting the open market this winter, including Tarik Skubal and Kris Bubic. Retaining them or replacing them requires resources and ownership willingness to spend. Walter just removed any doubt about both. His willingness to say this out loud—especially now—is reassurance that Friedman won’t be hamstrung by ownership hesitation when it comes time to make moves in December.

Source(s): Fabian Ardaya, The New York Times | First reported: October 28, 6:08 PM UTC

Ohtani Falls Short in Players Choice Awards

Shohei Ohtani was a finalist for two 2026 Players Choice Awards—NL Outstanding Player and MLB Player of the Year—but lost both to the Chicago Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong, per Dodger Blue. It’s a reality check wrapped in validation: Ohtani executed at an elite level despite our collapse in October, but the voters saw something in Crow-Armstrong’s overall profile that tipped the scale.

The finalist status tells you what matters most. Ohtani performed at championship levels even when the team didn’t. That’s not nothing. He’s positioned exactly where our franchise’s future depends—at the center of what we’re building. But finalist without the trophy also reminds us that individual excellence has to translate into team success when postseason arrives. Ohtani did his part this October. The rest of us didn’t.

Source(s): Dodger Blue | First reported: October 28, 5:20 PM UTC

Ohtani, Muncy, Pages Get Award Recognition

Shohei Ohtani, Max Muncy, and Andy Pages were named among nominees for major MLB awards, per MLB.com. The recognition comes despite our October failure and validates that we built enough talent to earn industry-wide acknowledgment even when we didn’t execute when it mattered most.

Ohtani’s presence on every ballot makes sense—he was a two-way force. Muncy delivered consistent power and reliability at the plate. Pages showed the kind of defensive consistency in centerfield that positions him as a long-term cornerstone. These nominations aren’t participation trophies. They’re proof that our core has the foundational pieces necessary to compete if Friedman can construct the right supporting cast around them heading into 2027.

Source(s): MLB.com | First reported: October 28, 11:47 AM UTC

Friedman on Rojas: ‘Can’t Say Enough’ About His Impact

Andrew Friedman paid public tribute to Miguel Rojas after the veteran infielder announced his retirement, telling Dodger Blue he “can’t say enough” about what Rojas brought to the clubhouse and the field. Rojas spent parts of five seasons with us, providing defensive stability at third and second base and serving as the kind of steady, professional presence every championship roster needs.

Rojas is gone from the active roster, but Friedman’s willingness to highlight his impact underscores something true about championship culture: the best teams need veterans who know how to win. Rojas was one of those guys. His departure removes that institutional knowledge from our playing staff, but it also opens flexibility we’ll need to integrate younger talent next season. The tribute was warranted. The veteran did his job.

Source(s): Dodger Blue | First reported: October 28, 3:25 PM UTC

Savannah Bananas Coming to Dodger Stadium in April 2027

We’re hosting the Savannah Bananas and their “Banana Ball” exhibition format at Dodger Stadium on April 23-24, 2027, per Dodger Blue. The Bananas’ fast-paced, entertainment-focused brand of baseball has built a genuine following, and bringing them here during a road trip to Washington represents a smart offseason programming move.

This isn’t just novelty. Modern sports franchises need diverse revenue streams and event calendars. The Bananas draw younger audiences and create buzz beyond traditional baseball. For us, it’s an opportunity to activate the stadium during the regular season in ways that matter operationally and financially. Mark Walter’s commitment to ownership means we’re thinking bigger than just nine-inning games at Dodger Stadium. This is part of that expansion.

Source(s): Dodger Blue | First reported: October 28, 1:00 PM UTC

Prospect Quintero Records Hit in Arizona Fall League

Eduardo Quintero continued showing progress in Arizona Fall League action, recording a hit for the Desert Dogs, per True Blue LA. The young prospect has demonstrated the kind of offensive capability and baserunning speed that could position him as a depth option down the line.

We swept in the NLCS. Our aging core didn’t execute when it mattered. That means our prospect pipeline becomes more important for 2027. Quintero’s modest production matters because we need every available piece of young talent to step up and prove they belong at the next level. Fall league action is where prospects either validate their tools or expose limitations. Quintero’s still working on his profile. The evaluation continues.

Source(s): True Blue LA | First reported: October 27, 2:00 PM UTC

This Day in Dodgers History: 1981 Championship

Forty-five years ago today—October 28, 1981—we defeated the Yankees in Game 6 at Yankee Stadium to win the World Series. It was our first championship since 1965 and positioned us as a legitimate dynasty heading into the 1980s. We won another title that decade. We knew how to construct winning rosters and execute when pressure arrived.

I bring this up not to dwell on the past but to remind ourselves what’s possible. We won in 2020. We’ve been competitive for years. But we collapsed against Milwaukee four days ago. The 1981 championship is proof that championship execution is achievable for this organization. It’s also a reminder that achieving it requires everything working. Our aging core didn’t deliver. Our front office has one offseason to rebuild. The historical precedent exists. Now we have to earn it.

Source(s): Dodger Blue | First reported: October 28, 9:20 PM UTC

Transactions

• Los Angeles Dodgers signed free agent RHP Alberto Santos to a minor league contract.