Dodgers Rumors: Teoscar Hernández’s Name Popping Up in Trade Rumors
Could Teoscar Hernández be on the trade block?
LOS ANGELES, CA—After winning the 2024 World Series in five games over the New York Yankees, the top of the to-do list for the Los Angeles Dodgers was re-signing fan-favorite Teoscar Hernández.
Despite back-and-forth between the two sides, they finally reached an agreement in January on a 3-year, $66 million contract and a $15 million club option for the 2028 season ($6.5 million buyout).
The deal was sensible given Hernández’s outstanding year in Dodger Blue, where he made the National League All-Star team, won the Home Run Derby (the first Dodgers player to achieve this), hit 33 home runs, posted a .840 OPS, and delivered several clutch home runs during that October’s postseason.
Nevertheless, in the following season, Hernández’s performance declined slightly. With Mookie Betts transitioning to playing in the infield full-time, Hernández’s weaknesses in right field became more apparent, causing various issues for the Dodgers’ defense last year.
Fast-forward to today, and it seems the Dodgers front office might be regretting the Hernández trade, as Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that the Dodgers have included Teoscar in trade discussions this winter.
Hernández, 33, is owed $14.5 million for the 2026 season, $14.5 million in 2027, and $16 million in deferments, including an extra $6.5 million if the Dodgers (or another club) decline his 2028 option.
While it may be shocking for the Dodgers to consider a Hernández trade after the outfielder has eight home runs and a .780 over the last two postseasons combined, he has been a massive liability defensively and is not getting any younger.
Out of all qualified right fielders, Hernández ranked 33rd of 36 players last season in Outs above Average (-9), a stat that hurt the Dodgers’ outfield defense as a whole, ranking 18th in OAA as a team.
In theory, if the Dodgers were to trade Hernández this winter, they could move Andy Pages back to his natural position, and either hope Tommy Edman’s ankle is healed enough after offseason surgery to play center field regularly or acquire one through trade or free agency.
Teams seeking a right-handed power bat could view Hernández’s deal as a bargain, as while it’s complex, it is not overly expensive, unlike some of the other free agents on the open market.
Still, despite Hernández’s name being mentioned, a deal does not seem likely at this time.
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