The Dodgers are heading into an offseason that could bring change, but not a full-blown overhaul. Every starter from last year’s lineup is under contract for 2027, which means Los Angeles does not have a lot of easy ways to shake things up as it tries to build another World Series team.
That matters because the 2026 season ended with a familiar problem: a Dodgers offense that looked worn down when Milwaukee overpowered them in the National League Championship Series.
Even with that backdrop, the most likely changes are fairly specific. In this early look at what the Opening Day lineup could become in 2027, Teoscar Hernandez is the biggest name on the move, with top prospect Josue De Paula stepping into left field if he proves he can handle the everyday job.
Hernandez stands out as the clearest trade candidate, and the Dodgers may be looking to create room for De Paula in the outfield. The prediction here has Los Angeles eventually moving Hernandez, though maybe not until after the lockout, since the club may want to see what De Paula looks like defensively first.
Hernandez has already reportedly attracted trade interest from at least one team, the Toronto Blue Jays. And because he is on an expiring contract, the Dodgers should have no trouble finding a market for the All-Star outfielder.
At the top of the order, Shohei Ohtani is projected to return to the leadoff spot after an offseason in which he gets healthy. Behind him, Mookie Betts stays in the No. 2 spot and remains the starting shortstop, though the trade rumors around Elly De La Cruz are expected to keep swirling.
If the Dodgers do add another infielder, Betts could be pushed down in the lineup. For now, though, they do not have a better right-handed hitting option.
Freddie Freeman is set at first base, and the Dodgers will be counting on Will Smith to bounce back at the plate. Another player they expect more from is Tucker, who is projected to start the season hitting fifth.
After that come Andy Pages and Max Muncy, with Tommy Edman penciled in as the starting second baseman and the No. 8 hitter.
Edman is another player who could lose his job, but the current alternatives at second base - Alex Freeland and Hyeseong Kim - did not do enough in 2026 to take the spot from him.
Los Angeles could still look outside the organization through free agency or a trade to address second base. But with Edman entering the second season of his five-year, $74 million deal that includes a club option in 2030, moving on from him may not be easy.
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Dodgers May Have A Cheaper Pitching Answer They Can't Wait On
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What makes the situation tricky is the timing. Itoh is seen as a possible long reliever or back-end starter, with projections pointing to a two-year deal worth $18 million, but the Dodgers cannot sit on the idea for long because the posting process and MLB lockout-related rules leave only a narrow window to get something done. For a team that values pitching depth as much as Los Angeles does, the appeal is obvious, even if the clock is working against them. [Read more 🡒]