Mike Salas
Reports were flowing yesterday with news that Teoscar Hernandez is finalizing a contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Teo is a fan favorite who became the first player to wear a Dodger uniform and win the 2024 All-Star homerun derby. Hernandez also came up clutch in the post season getting key hits to keep innings alive that helped the Dodgers win the 2024 World Series.
So, what does the outfield look like in 2025 with Mookie Betts moving back to the infield? Currently there are four outfielders on the 40-man roster and if Teo signs with the Dodgers he will be added to the roster as the fifth outfielder.
Teoscar is a fan favorite for his clutch hitting, homeruns when needed, winning the homerun derby, and his infectious smile. He was not known as an elite outfielder and has an above average arm strength. There have times when I have criticized Teo for being lazy in the outfield when balls are hit to him, but his bat and clubhouse presence overshadowed that.
The question the front office has, what does the starting lineup for the outfield look like when the regular season starts? Right now, Tommy Edman, Andy Pages, James Outman, and Chris Taylor are the Dodgers outfielders. Does Teo want to go back to his natural position in rightfield with Mookie moving back to the infield or does he stay in leftfield?
Here is one possibility the Dodgers front office could do:
Andy Pages in rightfield. He has one of the strongest arms in the Dodgers outfield lineup right now and he put that on display when he threw out Bryce Harper with a rocket from rightfield. He has proven he can hit in the majors but still needs some work on his base running skills. In his first year after being called up, Pages had 100H / 13HR / 46RBI / 1SB / .248AVG / .305OBP / .712OPS. In the postseason he had 4H / 2HR / 4RBI / .211AVG / .250OBP / .776OPS.
Tommy Edman in centerfield. With Edmans speed, he can cover a lot of ground in the outfield and that’s what makes a good centerfielder. The reigning NLCS MVP proved to be a great pickup after the All-Star break. Edman is a good utility player that can play almost anywhere they put him and has a solid bat that proved valuable in the postseason. Edman had 33H / 6HR / 20RBI / 6SB / .237AVG / .294OBP / .711OPS. In the postseason he had 20H / 2 HR / 13RBI / 5SB / .328AVG / .354OBP / .862OPS.
Teoscar Hernandez in leftfield. Teo is a decent leftfielder and showed he has an above average arm when he threw out Stanton at home in the World Series. Teoscar had one of his most productive years as a batter in 2024. He had 160H / career high 33HR / 99RBI / 12SB / .272AVG / .339OBP / .501SLG / .840OPS. In the postseason he had 15H / 3HR / 12RBI / 1SB / .250AVG / .352OBP / .417SLG / .769OPS.
There’s no denying that James Outman is a solid centerfielder and could platoon with Edman in center if he works kinks in his hitting. Outman showed signs of getting his swing back later in the year when he was sent back down to OKC, so we will see what he looks like when spring training starts. The big question is, will Chris Taylor be the utility player he once was and will his bat be able to produce when called upon.
There has also been a lot of talk about Dalton Rushing being called up to play in the outfield. Rushing is not on the 40-man roster and has more time playing first base than leftfield in the minors. Yes, Rushing has a bat that could benefit the Dodgers, but like most players in the minors, there is no position for him with Austin Barnes being the backup catcher. There are four other players who are much better than Rushing in the outfield and have solid bats. Ryan Ward, Chris Newell, Josue De Paula, and Zyhir Hope.
Could the Dodgers make another move this offseason to get another outfielder who bats left-handed? Only time will tell what Andre Freidman and the Los Angeles Dodgers have up their sleeves.
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