With the MLB Winter Meetings officially underway, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts spoke to reporters on Monday, providing clarity around several of the rumors that have surrounded the team throughout the offseason so far.
One major storyline has been the uncertain future of 33-year-old right fielder Teoscar Hernandez. Reports surfaced that the Dodgers would be ‘shopping’ Hernandez at the deadline, perhaps seeking to create space to acquire a major free agent.
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Roberts seemingly put that idea to rest on Monday, endorsing Hernandez as a clubhouse favorite and a capable outfielder.
“Teo certainly fits,” Roberts told reporters. “He’s helped us win two championships. He’s one of my favorites. Could he move to left, potentially. But I will say, from my eye test, the last game in Colorado, the last time we were in Denver, from that point on his right field defense was at least average so for me that was sufficient with the bat potential.”
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Hernandez has proven that his offensive production is worth his struggles as a defender. In two postseasons with the Dodgers, he’s hit .254 with 8 home runs and 25 RBI. In the regular season, Hernandez has hit 25 or more home runs in each of the past six seasons, excluding the shortened 2020 season.
However, defensively, Hernandez has struggled, ranking 33 of 36 eligible right fielders in outs above average last season.
The Dodgers have been rumored to be on the brink of making a major roster move, either through trade or free agent acquisition, however Roberts did not show his hand when asked about the team’s plans.
“We’re very confident with where the roster is at right now, on the pitching side, the positional player side,” Roberts said. “Obviously, there are opportunities and potential opportunities to upgrade the roster and we’re always looking to do that. But there’s really no big splash that needs to be made, because this team is still focused, and there’s talk of a three-peat. So this is a focused team.”
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