The Los Angeles Dodgers’ signing of All-Star free agent Kyle Tucker gave their roster a big bat, but could lead to Teoscar Hernandez’s exit.
Hernandez’s status within the Dodgers has been under question since the Winter Meetings this offseason, with The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Patrick Mooney reporting the Dodgers mentioned him in trade conversations.
“Hernández’s name is coming up in trade conversations, according to league sources,” the article reads. “The Dodgers view a deal as unlikely, but the idea of it, at least, is not without logic.”
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ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez also reported this as a possibility after Tucker’s move to L.A., though stated it “is not necessarily a foregone conclusion.”
“The addition of Tucker ultimately could push the Dodgers to trade corner outfielder Teoscar Hernandez, but a source familiar with the team’s thinking said that is not necessarily a foregone conclusion,” Gonzalez wrote. “The team can easily shift Hernandez from right field to left, with Andy Pages remaining the everyday center fielder and utility man Tommy Edman, coming off ankle surgery, entrenched as the second baseman.”
Why Should the Dodgers Keep Teoscar Hernández?
Hernandez is a key part of the Dodgers organization and will more than likely have a starting spot on the Dodgers next year in left field with Tucker taking his preferred position in right, per Rosenthal.
If the Dodgers were to include Hernandez in a trade, they’d be short an outfielder once again. Before Tucker’s arrival, the expectation was Hernandez would play in right, Andy Pages would captain the outfield and either Alex Call or Ryan Ward would man left. Adding Tucker to the lineup is a clear upgrade over both players and would ensure the Dodgers didn’t need to look around for another outfielder, at least not for opening day.
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Additionally, trading Hernandez would take away one of the few right-handed power bats in L.A.’s lineup. Tucker, Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani all bat left-handed, and getting rid of Hernandez could leave the lineup lopsided in that regard.
Despite having a down season in 2025, Hernandez still managed an OPS+ above league average and 25 home runs — the fifth season in a row he has reached that number.
While Hernandez isn’t the premier power bat in the outfield anymore, his skillset will complement Tucker’s presence on the Dodgers and add another layer to one of the best offenses in baseball.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
