The Dodgers made one of the splashiest moves of the offseason by landing Kyle Tucker, and naturally, that stirred up some trade buzz around Teoscar Hernández. With another All-Star-caliber outfielder joining the mix, it was fair to wonder if Hernández might be on the move. But according to reports from both Ken Rosenthal and Alden Gonzalez, the more likely scenario is that Hernández stays put in Los Angeles.
The Dodgers appear set to shift Hernández over to left field, with Tucker taking over his usual spot in right. That alignment gives L.A. a potent corner outfield duo, while center field looks like it’ll be a platoon between Andy Pages and Tommy Edman.
Alex Call figures to be in the mix as a reserve, and Edman’s versatility also keeps him in the conversation at second base - a position group that remains very much in flux. Alongside Edman, there’s Miguel Rojas, Hyeseong Kim, Alex Freeland, and newly acquired Andy Ibáñez all vying for time.
And don’t rule out a reunion with Enrique Hernández, either, as that door hasn’t fully closed.
Back in December, manager Dave Roberts and GM Brandon Gomes both downplayed the idea of trading Teoscar, and that sentiment still holds weight. Even when trade chatter first started circulating, Rosenthal noted it was “unlikely” the Dodgers would deal away Hernández just a year after signing him to a three-year, $66 million deal.
That contract still has some unique structure to it: $12 million is owed in 2026, $14.5 million in 2027, and there’s a $6.5 million buyout tied to a $15 million club option for 2028. But here’s where it gets interesting - half of that $66 million has already been paid out via a $23 million signing bonus and a $10 million salary for 2025, with $23.5 million deferred until 2031.
So any team trading for Hernández would only be taking on about $33 million over the next two seasons, with the deferred money softening the financial blow.
That kind of manageable cost likely got the attention of a few outfield-needy teams. The Royals, for one, were mentioned as a potential suitor.
And while the Dodgers aren’t exactly pinching pennies, moving Hernández would’ve offered some luxury tax relief and opened up more playing time for others - particularly Edman or Call in the outfield, which could’ve had a domino effect on the second base competition. It also could’ve cleared a path for one of the Dodgers’ many top outfield prospects, like Josue De Paula, to get a shot at the big leagues in 2026.
But by holding onto Hernández, L.A. is opting for proven depth as they chase a third straight World Series title. And while Hernández didn’t exactly light the world on fire last season, he still brought some pop - 25 home runs and a .247/.284/.454 slash line over 546 plate appearances.
That translated to a 102 wRC+, just a tick above league average, but his walk rate dipped to a career-low 4.8%, which is something to watch. His 2023 numbers weren’t much stronger (107 wRC+), but he bounced back a bit in his first year with the Dodgers in 2024 and could still have more in the tank as he enters his age-33 season.
The concern, of course, is that Hernández’s value is tied heavily to his bat. His defensive metrics have taken a hit in recent years, and if the offense doesn’t click, his overall impact becomes limited. Still, for a team like the Dodgers, keeping a veteran bat with 30-homer upside is a bet worth making - especially when the roster is already stacked with flexibility and depth.
If the Dodgers do decide to make a move, it might come from a different part of the roster. Rosenthal points to right-hander Bobby Miller and outfielder Ryan Ward as potential trade chips.
Miller, once one of the most hyped pitching prospects in baseball, had a strong rookie campaign in 2023 but has struggled since. He’s posted an 8.85 ERA over 61 innings since Opening Day 2024 and made just two big league appearances in 2025 while continuing to battle control issues in Triple-A.
Ward, meanwhile, is a bit of a late bloomer. Drafted in the eighth round back in 2019, he tore up Triple-A pitching in 2025 but hasn’t cracked the big league roster - a tough task in a Dodgers organization loaded with talent. At 28, he’s not considered a long-term piece, but he could be a valuable addition for a team looking for an MLB-ready bat.
All told, the Dodgers are in an enviable position. They’ve got stars, depth, and options - both on the field and in the trade market.
And for now, Teoscar Hernández remains a part of that picture. Whether he’s launching homers in left field or serving as a midseason trade chip down the line, the Dodgers are keeping their cards close - and their roster loaded.