Hernandez has been apart of back-to-back World Series titles in LA, and one could argue he\u2019s played a crucial role in both championship runs. However, the fan favorite\u2019s production decreased last season with defensive struggles becoming an issue in right field.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s 2024 All-Star season, where he averaged .272 with 33 home runs, 99 RBIs and an OPS of .840.<\/p>\n
MLB insider Bob Nightengale spoke with Dodgers Nation\u2019s Doug McKain on Dodgers Dougout Live about the defending champions\u2019 offseason. While Nightengale believes Hernandez will ultimately remain with LA, the Dodgers signing Kyle Tucker could have ramifications for the fan favorite.<\/p>\n
Nightengale explained why Hernandez\u2019s future directly coincides with Tucker\u2019s free agency.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do, but they sign a guy like Tucker, then they say, \u2018Wait minute. We have too many outfielders, we can move him.\u2019 I think they\u2019ll certainly listen and ask teams, \u2018Hey who\u2019s willing to give up what for him?\u2019 He makes a lot of money too, so he doesn\u2019t have that value that people think,\u201d Nightengale told McKain.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy gut is that he stays put, but I\u2019m sure they\u2019re dangling him during the winter. Not that they\u2019re trying to save money, but they could pay a big chunk off their payroll.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u2019 starting right field amid the trade buzz.<\/p>\n
\u201cTeo certainly fits,\u201d Roberts told reporters. \u201cHe\u2019s helped us win two championships. He\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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