Dodgers explore alternatives to Teoscar Hernandez

According to a report from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, negotiations between the Dodgers and outfielder Teoscar Hernandez remain at an impasse. While LA and Hernandez have long expressed mutual interest in reuniting after a successful 2024 campaign that ended in a World Series championship, previous reports suggested that a “gap” remains between the two sides in negotiations. existed. Apparently that gap remains, as Rosenthal reports that the Los Angeles team is “exploring” right-handed alternatives to Hernandez that they could add to their lineup instead. The three names Rosenthal lists as potential options for the Dodgers are free agent infielders Ha Seong KimCubs outfielder Seiya Suzukiand center fielder for the White Sox Luis Robert Jr. However, Rosenthal emphasizes that it is not yet clear how serious the Dodgers are about these efforts.

Of the three names, Suzuki may be the best replacement for Hernandez from the Dodgers’ perspective. Last year, he hit .283/.366/.482 with 21 homers and 16 steals in 132 games for the Cubs. His high on-base percentage and lower power make him a slightly different type of hitter than Hernandez, but Suzuki’s 138 wRC+ actually has an edge over Hernandez’s own 134. Both are generally considered below-average defenders in a corner outfield position, but either would give the Dodgers a big one Provide a right-handed hitter to add to their lineup and a starter to fill the vacant corner outfield spot Michael Conforto.

Since Suzuki would be a good fit for him, taking him on might be easier said than done. Rosenthal reports that the Cubs are “not inclined” to trade Suzuki this winter. The club started the offseason with something of a logjam in the outfield, as both Suzuki and Cody Bellingerand that logjam only grew larger when the club added the star right fielder Kyle Tucker in a trade with the Astros earlier this month. The Cubs have since dealt Bellinger to the Yankees. While that leaves them in a similar situation to the start of the winter, with two right fielders on the roster and Suzuki likely to be relegated to regular DH duties, the club still seems to prefer keeping Suzuki over themselves to separate from the talented batsman.

Rosenthal points out that the Cubs believe Suzuki will be difficult to replace due to the small market for impactful right-handers. Aside from Suzuki, the middle of Chicago’s lineup is filled with switch hitters Ian Happ as well as left-handed pitchers Tucker and Michael Buschso Suzuki’s presence adds much-needed right-handed punch to the mix. Suzuki also has a no-trade clause, but his previously reported desire not to be a full-time DH could make the possibility of a trade that would make him LA’s regular right fielder a palatable option. Speculatively speaking, it is possible that the Dodgers could sign a talented right-handed hitter such as: Andy Pages in a package for Suzuki’s services to fill that gap, although six seasons of team control over Pages would be a high price to pay. Suzuki is under contract for two more seasons and will make $19 million in both 2025 and 2026 before entering free agency.

Robert, on the other hand, certainly has the potential to match Hernandez’s offensive impact, but has yet to demonstrate consistency in the majors. The 27-year-old endured the worst season of his career in 2024, hitting just .224/.278/.379 (84 wRC+) while posting a 33.2% batting average, but hitting a much more comfortable .287/ . .331/.511 (129 wRC+) over the last three seasons and is just one season removed from an fWAR of 4.9 in the 2023 campaign. Robert combines that volatile but potentially impactful bat with impressive speed (he has appeared in just 100 games this year 23 bases stolen) and quality defense in center field. He also poses a high risk of injury, as 2024 will mark only the second time in his career that he has ever played 100 games, having been placed on the injured list numerous times over the years.

Rosenthal suggests that if the Dodgers took a chance on the talented but inconsistent Robert, he would move to center field in Los Angeles. It’s unclear whether that would mean a move Mookie Betts Back to right field and play Tommy Edman at shortstop or perhaps a move to second base for Edman pushing Gavin Lux to the bench (or via trade from the team), leaving right field open for a combination of Andy Pages and James Outman. Robert is guaranteed $17 million in the form of a $15 million salary and a $2 million buyout for a $20 million club option for 2026, but he could in the event of a buyout held through club options until the end of the 2027 season. In terms of acquisition cost, it’s possible that Robert would be cheaper than Suzuki, as Rosenthal reports that the White Sox don’t expect to acquire multiple top prospects in exchange for Robert, although they would want a “significant piece” in return the all star.

Kim is special as a potential target for several reasons. As a free agent, he would only cost the Dodgers money, unlike a trade for Suzuki or Robert, which would require a player or prospect to return in the other direction. He’s also an infielder who gets a lot of his value from being an excellent defender anywhere in the infield. That makes him a tricky position player for a Dodgers club already capable of juggling Betts, Lux and others Miguel Rojas in the middle. While the club could simply move Betts back to right field, it’s possible they’d rather keep him on the field and have him play alongside Kim, with one playing at shortstop and the other at second base. However, that would leave Lux out of position and also create a gap in the outfield, leaving for internal options or another external addition.

Kim is also by far the weakest hitter of the three at the plate and an undeniable downgrade to Hernandez on offense. Although Kim has made leaps and bounds after a lackluster rookie season, he is still more or less an average league hitter with a 101 wRC+ in 2024 and an overall line of .250/.336/.385 (106 wRC+) since him as a starter in 2022. It’s also worth noting that he appears to be on the injured list to start the season after shoulder surgery in September. although Rosenthal reports that he is targeting a return to the diamond “early” in the 2025 season. Still, the Dodgers would have to use their internal options to fill out the lineup card until Kim is ready to return to action.