ORLANDO, Fla. — The Dodgers did their best to douse water on the Teoscar Hernández trade rumors on the first full day of the Winter Meetings.
“It doesn’t feel likely, but obviously you can never say never on those types of things,” Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said on Monday. “Like Teo, I know that’s come up. That’s not something we anticipate at all.”
Earlier, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that Hernandez is “one of my favorites,” and he’s planning on Hernandez once again being the Dodgers’ right fielder. He also suggested Hernandez could occasionally move to left.
Hernandez’s defense has been an issue, but Roberts gave him a lukewarm endorsement. He said that from late August on, he felt Hernandez’s defense “was at least average, which for me was sufficient with the bat potential.”
It’s worth noting that Hernandez had several notable defensive miscues in September and October.
“We’ll have the conversation,” Roberts said. “I do think with that versatility and potential and how we potentially shape the roster, there’s some options, but right now, he’s our right fielder.”
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said last week that “figuring out” the outfield this winter is a top priority.
OHTANI IN THE WBC
Shohei Ohtani has already announced that he’s going to play for Japan in the World Baseball Classic in March, but it’s uncertain whether he’ll pitch.
“I’m hoping he doesn’t,” Roberts said. “But I don’t know. Shohei’s very in tune with his body. But I would say probably the thought is he’s probably just going to hit. But I really don’t know. I haven’t talked to Shohei.”
Gomes said the conversation is still to come with Ohtani.
“The pitching side of things is challenging and gives us a little bit of pause,” Gomes said. “But we’ll obviously continue to have those conversations and figure it out.”
In 2023, which was Ohtani’s final year with the Angels, he started two games for Japan and famously pitched one inning in relief, closing out the championship game victory over Team USA. Ohtani threw 49 pitches and 71 pitches in his two starts, on March 9 and March 16. After the WBC ended, he pitched once in a minor-league game and was ready to go for Opening Day, on March 30.
Two other Dodgers starters – Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki – are also potential pitchers for Japan in the WBC next spring. Roberts said they still aren’t sure if either of them will pitch in the WBC, adding that there needs to be “dialogue as far as restrictions and limitations” if either participates.
PITCHING HURT?
The Dodgers are looking for a bounce-back season from left-hander Tanner Scott, who had a 4.74 ERA in the first season after the Dodgers signed him to a $72 million contract.
One of the reasons is that they believe he was pitching through some physical issues even before he went on the injured list with an elbow problem in July.
Roberts suggested it when he was talking to reporters, and then Gomes echoed that opinion.
“There’s some things physically that he was dealing with – some that were talked about, some that weren’t,” Roberts said.
Added Gomes: “My sense is Tanner’s a tough guy and wants the ball, and that was bothering him for a while. Will he admit that? I don’t know.”
NO WORRIES
The Dodgers’ success with their seemingly unlimited budget is one of the reasons that some around the sport are pushing for a salary cap in the next collective bargaining agreement.
Roberts said that wouldn’t bother the Dodgers.
“Honestly, I think that we have an organization that whatever rules or regulations, constructs are put in front of us, we’re going to dominate,” he said. “And so just give us the rules, let us know the landscape and then I’ll be on our organization. So that’s kind of the way I feel.”
NOTES
Utility man Tommy Edman, who underwent ankle surgery last month, is expected to be “delayed” for the start of spring training, Gomes said. He said he doesn’t expect it “affect a meaningful part of the season.” …
Right-handed reliever Brusdar Graterol (shoulder surgery) will be “full go” in spring training, Gomes said. Right-handed reliever Brock Stewart (shoulder surgery) will be “a little delayed,” Gomes said.