The Dodgers’ outfield picture is already looking unsettled, and one of the organization’s short-term depth pieces has now opted to move on.
Alek Thomas, acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks a couple of months into the season, has elected free agency after finishing the 2026 regular season in the minors. For Los Angeles, the deal made sense as a depth move with the hope that the club could coax more out of the former second-round pick while he was in the system.
Thomas gave them a brief return. In the majors, he went 4-for-19 with a .250 on-base percentage and a .513 on-base plus slugging.
More importantly for the Dodgers, he helped the team go 4-2 in the games he started while filling in for the injured Andy Pages. He also made an immediate impact in his first two games with the Pittsburgh Pirates, driving in a run in each one.
The 26-year-old also rebuilt some value at Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he hit .305/.378/.537 in 272 at-bats for the Comets. That kind of production should help him land another shot at a big league roster, and it likely played into his decision to test the market.
The Dodgers would have preferred to keep him in the organization, but free agency gives Thomas a clearer path back to the Majors.
His departure comes at a time when Los Angeles has plenty to sort out in the outfield. The unit was the team’s weakest this season, with Pages standing out as the lone bright spot.
Tucker is under contract through the 2029 season, though he has opt-outs in each of the final two years. He recovered in October, but for much of the season it looked like he would stick with the $60 million average annual salary for those last two years.
Teoscar Hernández is a different conversation. He has one year left on his deal, plus a club option for 2028, and moving his $22 million salary next season would not be simple. Still, a club with an opening at designated hitter could be willing to talk for the 33-year-old, who posted a 110 wRC+.
If the Dodgers can clear space in the outfield, they do have strong internal options waiting in the system.
One possibility is Josue De Paula in left field next season if Hernández is moved. Defense is the question with De Paula, but there is still time for that to improve before next season begins. If not, the Dodgers have other routes they can take.
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Dodgers Are Linked To Another Japanese Bat With One Big Problem
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The fit question is less simple than the interest level. Sato is primarily a third baseman or right fielder and brings real power-hitting ability, but the Dodgers do not appear to have an obvious open spot for him on the current roster. That kind of roster squeeze can complicate even the most intriguing pursuit, and it leaves the next step of their evaluation very much worth watching. [Read more 🡒]