Early in the offseason, it was reported the Los Angeles Dodgers were shopping outfielder Teoscar Hernandez.
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Hernandez has been apart of back-to-back World Series titles in LA, and one could argue he’s played a crucial role in both championship runs. However, the fan favorite’s production decreased last season with defensive struggles becoming an issue in right field.
Additionally, Hernandez had a down year offensively, averaging .247 with 25 home runs, 89 RBIs, with an OPS of .738. Those numbers were much different from the outfielder’s 2024 All-Star season, where he averaged .272 with 33 home runs, 99 RBIs and an OPS of .840.
MLB insider Bob Nightengale spoke with Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain on Dodgers Dougout Live about the defending champions’ offseason. While Nightengale believes Hernandez will ultimately remain with LA, the Dodgers signing Kyle Tucker could have ramifications for the fan favorite.
Nightengale explained why Hernandez’s future directly coincides with Tucker’s free agency.
“I do, but they sign a guy like Tucker, then they say, ‘Wait minute. We have too many outfielders, we can move him.’ I think they’ll certainly listen and ask teams, ‘Hey who’s willing to give up what for him?’ He makes a lot of money too, so he doesn’t have that value that people think,” Nightengale told McKain.
“My gut is that he stays put, but I’m sure they’re dangling him during the winter. Not that they’re trying to save money, but they could pay a big chunk off their payroll.”
The Dodgers are reportedly focused on addressing their defensive struggles from last year, but at the Winter Meetings, manager Dave Roberts emphatically stated Hernandez is the Dodgers’ starting right field amid the trade buzz.
“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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Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
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