Dodgers Staying Patient with Teoscar Hernández, Bullpen Moves Mostly Wrapped
If you’re waiting for the Dodgers to make another big splash this offseason, don’t hold your breath just yet. The front office in Los Angeles is playing this one exactly how they like it - with patience, precision, and a whole lot of leverage.
Yes, they’re still listening on Teoscar Hernández. But no, that doesn’t mean they’re trying to move him. This is about keeping options open, not clearing house.
According to recent reports, teams like the Kansas City Royals have checked in on Hernández’s availability. Meanwhile, the Phillies - once considered a possible fit - are now out of the picture after landing Adolis García as a more affordable option. With Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso already off the board, Hernández finds himself in a unique spot: one of the last big right-handed bats available in a market that’s quickly thinning out.
And that’s exactly why the Dodgers aren’t in a rush.
There just aren’t many right-handed outfielders with Hernández’s combination of power and production. That kind of scarcity drives value - and it’s why L.A. is content to hold steady unless the right offer comes along.
They don’t need to move him. In fact, they’re still open to adding another position player themselves.
This isn’t a fire sale. It’s about optionality, and the Dodgers are masters at keeping every door slightly ajar.
If a deal does happen, it probably won’t come until later in the offseason - once other clubs strike out on bigger names like Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger and start circling back to the next tier of impact bats. Until then, the Dodgers have no reason to blink.
And while the Hernández situation remains fluid, the bullpen picture is coming into sharper focus.
Bullpen Moves Mostly Done - But Don’t Rule Out a Surprise
Don’t expect another major bullpen addition in Los Angeles this winter. The big moves appear to be in the rearview mirror.
That’s not to say the Dodgers won’t make a small trade or take a flyer on a spring training arm - they’ve made a habit of turning under-the-radar pickups into high-leverage weapons - but the heavy lifting looks done. At this point, it’s more about internal depth and letting competition sort out the final spots in camp.
There’s still a chance Evan Phillips rejoins the mix when he returns midseason, and Michael Kopech could be a fallback option if his market stalls. But those are contingency plans, not priorities.
This is classic Dodgers baseball operations: stay nimble, let the market come to them, and don’t make a move just for the sake of headlines. They’ve built a roster that doesn’t need to overextend - and that’s a powerful position to be in.
Whether Teoscar Hernández stays or goes, the Dodgers are operating from a position of strength. The outfield remains fluid, but the bullpen - the real focus of this offseason - is close to set. And as always, L.A. is keeping its foot on the gas without ever losing control of the wheel.