![Teoscar Hernandez](https://dodgerblue-com.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Teoscar-Hernandez-.jpeg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
Stephen Brashear/USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Dodgers have already had a long offseason, signing Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto and trading Tyler Glasnow, but the club still has work to do.
Adding depth to the starting rotation is an area the Dodgers are still trying to address, as well as corners in the outfield. The Dodgers have already added Jason Heyward and Manuel Margot to their outfield, but the need for a regular outfielder remains with Mookie Betts expected to play second base.
At the beginning of the offseason, the Dodgers expressed interest in Teoscar Hernandez, Francies Romero of MLB.comThe Dodgers continue to monitor the veteran outfielder.
Sources say the Dodgers are among the teams still monitoring the market for Teoscar Hernandez.
They aren’t favorites to sign Hernandez, but they could spring a surprise.
— Francis Romero (@francysromeroFR) December 25, 2023
Although still productive, Hernandez was coming off a down season with the Seattle Mariners, batting .258/.305/.435 with 29 doubles, 26 home runs, 93 RBIs, 106 OPS+, and wOBA. 317, and recorded a wRC+105. Over 160 games.
Prior to that, Hernandez was one of the best sluggers in the game, posting an on-base percentage of .807 or higher, a slugging percentage of .130 or higher, and a wRC+ of 130 for three consecutive seasons. That included winning the Silver Slugger Award in consecutive seasons and being selected to the 2021 MLB All-Star Game.
Despite some regression this year, the 31-year-old hit .287/.307/.511 with 11 doubles, seven home runs and 27 RBIs in 150 at-bats against left-handed pitchers. The Dodgers have struggled with left-handed pitching for years, and Hernandez could be the latest addition to help pitchers against southpaws.
Defensively, Hernandez ranks around league average, but he has a strong shoulder and good speed that helps him make an impact on the field.
If the deal goes through, Hernandez would give the Dodgers an everyday left fielder and allow Chris Taylor to serve primarily as a utility man. He would also provide much-needed right-handed strength in the center of the lineup for a team that will feature a strong batting order of left-handed pitchers.
Teoscar Hernández contract predictions
If the Dodgers were to sign Hernandez, it seems unlikely they would be willing to give him more than a year or two. MLB trade rumors have Hernandez expected to sign a four-year deal worth $80 million, so it’s hard to imagine the Dodgers going to that length to sign him.
But if a market for him doesn’t materialize, the Dodgers could sign him to a deal that works with the terms they would offer.
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