Teoscar Hernandez was an enormous a part of the 2024 championship run. Factoring in that and his blossoming relationship with Shohei Ohtani, and it was a no brainer for the Dodgers to convey him again on a 3-year, $66 million deal.
Quick ahead one yr and one other World Sequence title, and there are rumors that the Dodgers could be trying to commerce him.
Hernandez, 33, took a little bit of a step again total in 2025. He noticed all his numbers dip from the earlier yr, along with his on-base share taking an enormous 55-point hit. He drew simply 26 walks in 546 plate appearances (4.8 BB%) after strolling 53 instances in 652 plate appearances in 2024. He posted a merely league-average wRC+ of 102, regardless of nonetheless hitting 25 residence runs.
The factor is, it seemed like Hernandez was going to enhance on his 2024 season. He obtained off to a quick begin this previous season. By way of 33 video games, he was one of the best non-Ohtani hitter on the squad. He had a 155 wRC+ whereas hitting .315/.333/.600 with 9 residence runs (tied with Ohtani) and a team-leading 34 RBI. Then, a groin damage in early Could price him two weeks of motion. After he returned, he didn’t look the identical. It’s one thing I wrote about in early June. Over his ultimate 101 video games, he hit simply .223/.268/.404, with an 84 wRC+. That’s not nice, but in addition not indicative of Hernandez’s true expertise stage.
Defensively, he’s by no means been a gold glover. He has strong sufficient velocity an sufficient arm for proper discipline, however there have been instances when his lack of defensive aptitude was noticeable.
——
The Dodgers want so as to add to the outfield this offseason. In the event that they transfer Hernandez, they’ll probably want so as to add two. It appears counterproductive, but it surely may make some sense.
Having mentioned that, the place may Hernandez go? Let’s check out 4 choices.
The Royals appear to be motivated so as to add a pair bat-first outfielders this offseason, they usually’re the one crew talked about as a vacation spot for Hernandez. With Jac Caglianone patrolling proper discipline, Hernandez would probably slot into left discipline, the place he’s higher suited to play over the course of a season. The Royals’ 73 wRC+ from the outfield was the worst in baseball.
One other crew searching for outfield assistance is the Pirates. They have been concerned about Kyle Schwarber (even when he’s a delegated hitter) earlier than he re-signed with the Phillies. With solely Cody Bellinger left as a high-priced free-agent outfielder not named Kyle Tucker, Hernandez is the kind of man they could extra realistically goal. They did simply commerce for Jhostynxon Garcia, however a longtime bat like Hernandez’s may make sense for a crew wanting so as to add some thump to a lineup that sorely wants it.
The Marlins are, reportedly, in an identical place because the Pirates. They’re really trying to spend a bit this offseason to go with a powerful pitching employees, and Hernandez may slot proper into the center of their lineup to assist in giving it a lift. It’s generally simpler for groups to accumulate established gamers by way of commerce fairly than the free-agent market, and Hernandez may assist stabilize the younger Miami lineup.
Humorous sufficient, the Mets may additionally make some sense. They simply misplaced Pete Alonso and traded Brandon Nimmo final month. With the latest experiences about Jeff McNeil and Francisco Lindor not having the rosiest of relationships, and there could possibly be a gap for a bat. That’s, in the event that they don’t find yourself paying for Bellinger or Tucker, Hernandez wouldn’t be the worst fallback choice.
——
The return from any crew for Hernandez wouldn’t be too substantial. Right here are the specifics of his present deal.
- 3 years/$66M (2025-27), 2028 membership choice, 2029 conditional choice
- $23M signing bonus
- 25:$10M, 26:$12M, 27:$14.5M, 28:$15M membership choice ($6.5M buyout), 29:$15M conditional choice
- $23.5M is deferred ($7.5M in 2025, $8M every in 2026, 2027), with deferred cash paid starting in 2031, six years after it’s earned if Hernández has surgical procedure for particular damage / 75 days on injured listing, 2028 choice is assured and Dodgers get 2029 choice at $15M
There may be deferred cash, there’s present-day cash and a possible choice. Except the Dodgers cowl a considerable quantity of the cash he’s nonetheless owed, it’d be exhausting to see the Dodgers getting vital participant(s) in return. However should you’re shifting Hernandez at this level, you acknowledge that and worth his roster spot greater than what he’s nonetheless owed.
——
The simplest factor the Dodgers may do for 2026 and past is transfer Hernandez again to left discipline and purchase an outfielder who can both play heart discipline (full- or part-time, with Edman dealing with CF towards left-handed pitching), which might transfer Andy Pages to proper discipline (towards right-handed pitching) or discover an on a regular basis proper fielder. Whether or not that’s within the crew’s finest curiosity could be debated.
In the event that they transfer Hernandez, it’d be a little bit of a bummer since he’s so appreciated by virtually everybody. Then once more, we (and the gamers) all know it is a enterprise on the finish of the day. No matter occurs, the Dodgers will nonetheless want so as to add an outfielder. For me, I hope it’d be along with Teo.
