The Los Angeles Dodgers have exercised the team options for Muncy and Vesia to retain this year’s championship core.

In order to keep the championship roster intact, the Los Angeles Dodgers have formally exercised the 2026 season team options for key third baseman Max Muncy and reliever Alex Vesia. The two deals are worth $10 million and $3.55 million respectively. With Clayton Kershaw retired, 35-year-old Muncy is now the longest-tenured player currently on the team.

Muncy’s career has been quite remarkable. The third baseman was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in 2012 and made his major league debut in 2015. However, before the 2017 spring training, he was designated for assignment and sent down to Triple-A, then released. The Dodgers recognized his potential and signed him to a minor league deal; after just one season, Muncy broke through and secured a regular spot in the Dodgers’ starting lineup.

Statistics show that since returning to the majors in 2018, Muncy has appeared in 924 games over eight seasons with the Dodgers, posting a batting average of .232, on-base percentage of .358, and slugging percentage of .485. He has hit 209 home runs, driven in 587 runs, and drawn 575 walks. His exceptional plate discipline has earned him widespread acclaim, including two All-Star selections.

Notably, Muncy holds the Dodgers’ postseason record with 16 home runs, three more than the tied second-place hitters Justin Turner and Corey Seager.

Left-handed reliever Vesia is a key member of the Dodgers’ bullpen. Although he missed this year’s World Series due to a family emergency, the 29-year-old pitcher had an impressive season, appearing in 68 games and pitching 59.2 innings. He recorded 5 saves, 28 holds, a 4-2 record, a 3.02 ERA, and struck out 80 batters while issuing only 22 walks.

Before missing the World Series, Vesia pitched in three playoff series, making 7 appearances and totaling 4.2 innings, compiling a 2-0 record with 4 holds and a 3.86 ERA.

Vesia began his career with the Miami Marlins and was traded to the Dodgers before the 2021 spring training along with Kyle Hurt in exchange for pitcher Dylan Floro. Hurt remains with the Dodgers and, after undergoing Tommy John surgery last July, completed 9 rehab games in the minors this year. Floro, after multiple trades and releases, signed a minor league deal with the Athletics this season but was released in June and has not signed with another team since.