The Los Angeles Dodgers left MLB’s Winter Meetings in Dallas with additional groundwork for how their roster will be constructed as they await the decision from one of their key outfield bats from this past year.
Teoscar Hernández remains a free agent as of Thursday, and while the Dodgers are likely to have an offer extended to him, he’s continuing to weigh his options. The 32-year-old posted one of his best seasons in 2024, batting .272/.339/.501 with a career-high 33 home runs.
The Dodgers have a need to fill in their outfield aside from Tommy Edman and Michael Conforto. Hernández makes the most sense given the Dodgers’ need in a corner spot, but with his return still up in the air, the front office is preparing for all outcomes, per Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
“There’s different ways we can get at this,” Friedman said of the outfield plans, with at least one more addition likely needed. “We can have a team that has a little bit more power. We can have a team that makes a little bit more contact. We can have a team that plays a little bit better defense. There’s just a lot of different ways to get at value and production and winning baseball games. So, with that, it opens some things up.”
Replacing Hernández and his production won’t be an easy task, but pivot plans are necessary if another organization decides to offer a contract above his current market value.
The Dodgers signing Conforto locked in a productive left-handed bat who roamed left field for the San Francisco Giants this past season. The belief is that Conforto’s splits on the road should translate to a better season as Oracle Park in San Francisco isn’t kind to offensive players.
How the Dodgers fill their hole in right field could go a few ways. If Hernández and the Dodgers are able to hammer out a contract to keep the beloved player with the team, he would fill in as their everyday starter.
Andy Pages could also get the nod if Hernández leaves. But if the two-time All-Star returns, Pages could end up platooning with Conforto.
Dodgers hoping to re-sign Teoscar Hernández
As of this week, Friedman noted that he was ‘hopeful’ about a reunion with Hernández.
Friedman raised caution over signing a player of his age to a long-term contract, but did express optimism for his return. What this says is that the Dodgers have a contract ceiling they’re not willing to blow past and if Hernández has a deal on the table from another team that exceeds their threshold, they may not match it.
Essentially, Hernández controls his path and how much he values wanting to stay with the Dodgers or take a contract that is too rich to pass on.
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