The Dodgers will not pick up the 2016 contract options on second baseman Chase Utley, reliever Joel Peralta and starter Bronson Arroyo.
Peralta, who turns 40 in March, is the only one of the three who spent all year with the Dodgers. His season was interrupted by a nerve issue that affected his triceps in April. Peralta also missed time in late August with a separate neck issue, then returned in September and pitched better than he had all season (two earned runs, .129 opponents’ BA, 0.44 WHIP in nine innings). He also threw a scoreless inning in the National League Division Series.
The team option called for Peralta to make $2.5 million next year. According to a source, the Dodgers have expressed interest in talking to Peralta’s agent later in the off-season.
After being acquired in an August trade with the Philadelphia Phillies, Utley made his most memorable contribution to the Dodgers in Game 2 of the NLDS. His takeout slide into Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada broke Tejada’s leg and ultimately drew a two-game suspension from MLB. It also keyed a four-run rally that led to the Dodgers’ only home win of the series.
While his baserunning was never an issue, Utley’s .202/.291/.363 slash line and age (36) didn’t lead a second year in Los Angeles at a cost of $5 million or more.
Arroyo never appeared in a Dodgers uniform on or off the field in 2015. He was a throw-in to the three-team, 13-player trade that sent Hector Olivera to Atlanta and Mat Latos, Alex Wood, Jim Johnson, Luis Avilan and Jose Peraza to the Dodgers. His option year was valued at $13 million.
Five Dodgers became free agents Friday: Peralta, Utley, Arroyo, Chris Heisey and Justin Ruggiano.
The Dodgers’ 40-man roster now stands at 32, plus four pitchers (Lisalverto Bonilla, Brandon McCarthy, Josh Ravin and Hyun-Jin Ryu) on the 60-day disabled list.