The Dodgers enter 2025 season having kept their championship roster from the year prior mostly intact. Walker Buehler has been the only member of the 2024 World Series roster to leave in free agency (so far), and the Dodgers only real departure via trade was Gavin Lux on Monday.
With as deep a roster as the Dodgers carry, there are questions circulating around Kiké Hernández and the chances of him returning once again. Should the Dodgers fail to bring back the veteran utility man, Enos Sarris of The Athletic notes that the Philadelphia Phillies would be a great fit for Hernández in an effort to sharpen their outfield defense.
He’s more of a sure thing offensively and rated as a positive defensively at all of his positions. He could come into games late to spell Castellanos and keep the outfield defense above water, and he’d generally be available at any position should the need arise.
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Dodgers fans were shocked to learn on Monday that infielder Gavin Lux was dealt to the Cincinnati Reds.
When the Dodgers signed Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim to a three-year deal, the plan was to have him play a super utility role, with Lux remaining as the primary second baseman. The Yankees and Seattle Mariners reportedly expressed interest in Lux before the Reds acquired him for outfield prospect Mike Sirota and a Competitive Balance Round A pick.
Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times breaks down the different defensive options the Dodgers can deploy throughout the season.
In the meantime, Kim could take over Lux’s role at second base, at least as a platoon option against right-handed pitching. And if a need at shortstop arises, Kim also could contribute there — something the Dodgers seemed more hesitant to do with Lux, after his defensive struggles at the position.
An update in the ongoing legal situation with Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. There has been another delay in the sentencing for Mizuhara, and it will now take place on Feb. 6 in Orange County, per Sam Blum and Evan Drellich of The Athletic.