Why Teoscar Hernandez Would Be the Ideal Free Agent Signing For the Dodgers
Even after committing more than $1 billion to free agents, the Dodgers’ front office is continuing to look for upgrades this offseason. The roster still have some holes around the edges. Rather than shopping in the free-agent bargain bin or signaling they will promote from within, the Dodgers’ front office has reportedly been engaged on multiple fronts that would bring in proven major league talent.
One front: another right-handed outfield bat. Utility player Chris Taylor, a .228 hitter the last two seasons, currently projects as the starting left fielder. Free agent outfielder Teoscar Hernández would represent an upgrade over Taylor, and has been linked with the Dodgers for months.
Hernandez has been linked to other teams as well, but he’s the most ideal free agent left on the market for the Dodgers. Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain broke down why Hernandez makes so much sense for the team. The full breakdown on the Dodgers Nation YouTube Channel is linked in the video at the top of this article, and can be viewed here.
The Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels have been linked to Hernández as well. Hernández, 31, is seeking a multi-year contract, reportedly upwards of $20 million per year. The Dodgers could afford that, particularly on a two- or three-year term.
Hernández has hit 83 home runs over the last three seasons. He would bring some extra pop to the Dodgers’ lineup. That kind of power would be a significant asset for any team, but would make a particular difference in a close contest against left-handed pitching. So far this offseason, the Dodgers have watched rivals invest heavily in left-handed pitching, such as the San Francisco Giants’ trade for Robbie Ray and the Atlanta Braves’ acquisition of Chris Sale.
Hernandez’s defense in right field was neither a strength nor a weakness, according to the OAA metric. With experience at all three outfield positions, he would be a more well-rounded player than similar hitters on the market. Signing him would signal that the Dodgers are continuing to be all-in on winning the World Series.
The final decision for Hernandez may come down to which team offers him the most money. If it’s close — as was the case with Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto — the Dodgers might have an advantage again. Like many players closer to the end of their careers than the beginning, Hernandez might be more willing to join a team for slightly less money if it increases their odds of winning a World Series before they retire.
If the Dodgers can sign Hernandez, it would be another massive addition this winter. The front office has been putting in work this offseason, and there’s no reason to believe it will stop now.
Photo Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
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Sign him and fix Muncy’s batting average and defensive issues and we’re almost there.
So many strikeouts though and then you have strikeout artists in Taylor, Outman and Muncy ..
There are two very good bats at AAA. One of them Vargas is right handed. The Dodgers need to either trade them or give them a shot. Busch had a monster year and Vargas has flashed potential at every level.
I Think this is the same click bait as the SS trade stuff. These guys gotta write about something so they right about trades that are very very low %.
The Dodgers are built around the business plan of using their Farm system to have cost controlled players like Miller, Sheehan etc to mitigate the huge salaries to the super stars.
Lux was a big power hitter in the minors as well. It made him Minor League Player of the year a few years ago. But that power hitting didn’t exactly transalate over to the Big Leagues did it. He could hit, just not like he did in the minors. Same with Busch and Vargas. Plus they don’t have a positions that they are proficient at and we have plenty of DH’s. Movem in a trade that will get you someone and open up two slots (or more) on the 40 man roster.
He already has two WS titles including WS MVP. A platoon of Vargas and Busch might be as good and cost 1/20th as much. 80 per cent of pitchers are right handed. Busch could outhit Mr. T against right handers. What do they do with Margot? Teoscar costs 2x whatever he is paid due to CBT. Was he given a qualifying offer? I don’t know. Does the author? Why not tell us about these things? I’d rather trade for Luis Robert. The Dodgers have enough young talent to do that. They are going to have 15 starting pitchers in 2025: 1. Y 2. O 3. Buehler 4. Miller 5. Glasnow 6. Sheehan 7. Gonsolin 8. May 9. Kershaw 10. Gavin S. 11. Kyle Hurt 12. Frasso 13. Grove 14. Landon Knack 15. Maybe trade deadline acquisition 7/31/2024 16. Maybe Sasaki or the best KBO pitcher. So they can trade for Luis Robert and Dylan Cease. Or Bieber. Throw in Vargas and Busch for cease and robert.