The Los Angeles Dodgers do not appear willing to stand pat for the 2026 season. Instead, the reigning back-to-back World Series champions want to get even better. While this may be done by completing a few minor moves, team brass is now being linked with a significant trade to shake up their roster.
The Athletic is reporting that Teoscar Hernandez may be moved out of L.A. this winter. According to sources at the outlet, the star outfielder’s name has come up in trade conversations. A potential deal involving the three-time Silver Slugger award winner would be fairly shocking. After all, Hernandez has been a key piece of the Dodgers’ puzzle since he arrived in 2024.
The veteran outfielder has racked up eight homers, 25 RBIs, and posted an .780 OPS in 33 postseason games for Los Angeles in the last two combined playoffs. Only superstar Shohei Ohtani put up better numbers at the plate in these categories during the 2025 postseason. Hernandez also collected a crucial RBI in game seven of the World Series in November.
Outfield Defense was an Issue for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025
GettyTeoscar Hernandez has struggled defensively for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
With these impressive offensive statistics, fans may wonder why the Dodgers would even listen to trade talk involving Hernandez. Although the star is solid at the plate, there is a downside to his game.
As pointed out by The Athletic, Hernandez recently ranked 33rd out of 36 total right fielders in Outs Above Average (-9). As a team, the Dodgers ranked 18th in Major League Baseball in this specific category during 2025. Hernandez is clearly a major reason for this.
Los Angeles is widely seen as a ‘super team,’ but club officials are always looking for ways to improve. Although it may be hard to find holes in the Dodgers, they are below average defensively, particularly in the outfield. Because of this, they would appear willing to address the problem.
If Hernandez is dealt, the Dodgers seemingly already have his potential replacement in Andy Pages. The versatile outfielder was deployed in all three outfield positions throughout 2025. He also did not record an error in 51 games at right field throughout the season. Pages took a significant step forward at the plate in the most recent campaign as well.
Dodgers Linked with Multiple Trades Involving Outfielders
Ultimately, the Dodgers would likely have to be blown away by an offer to actually trade Hernandez. His departure from L.A. still seems fairly unlikely. Nevertheless, the Dodgers have been connected with acquiring athletic outfielders throughout the offseason. Bleacher Report recently linked the reigning World Series champions with a trade for Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran.
Another Red Sox outfielder, Wilyer Abreu, was also recently thought to be targeted by the Dodgers as well. Boston has a plethora of talented outfielders and is expected to ship out at least one of them ahead of the 2026 season.
Some may view a potential deal involving Hernandez as a signal that the Dodgers are getting star free agent Kyle Tucker. This, however, is unlikely to be the case. Los Angeles is not expected to hand the outfielder a massive long-term contract. Instead, the Dodgers will have another trick up their sleeve if they trade their Silver Slugger.
