Los Angeles Dodgers examining alternatives to Teoscar Hernandez.
As negotiations with free-agent outfielder Teoscar Hernandez remain at an impasse, the Los Angeles Dodgers are exploring a number of intriguing right-handed hitting alternatives.
The potential options, according to Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic include infielder Ha-Seong Kim in free agency and Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki, Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. and others in trade.
In their inquiries on other players, the Dodgers are lining up contingencies as a matter of due diligence in the event Hernández departs for the Toronto Blue Jays .
ESPN insider David Schoenfield predicted in an article I wrote yesterday for Blue Jays Central, that Hernandez would most likely reunite with the Toronto Blue Jays.
These are the potential options, according to sources briefed on the team's discussions.
Kim, 29, would be the most intriguing addition.
With the Dodgers planning to return Mookie Betts to shortstop, the team's needs in the outfield are greater than they are in the infield.
Kim, however, is a gifted defender who would fill a spot in the middle infield once he recovered from labrum surgery on his right shoulder.
The easiest way to replace Hernández would be with another outfielder.
Suzuki, 30, is owed $36 million over the next two seasons and holds a full no-trade clause.
Robert, 27, is owed $15 million in 2025 with $20 million club options in both '26 and '27, and lacks no-trade protection.
Robert is the youngest of the right-handed hitters the Dodgers are discussing and carries perhaps the greatest upside.
But because of his injury history, his downside might be greater, too. Only once in the past four seasons has Robert appeared in more than 100 games in 2023, when he hit 38 homers, had an .857 OPS and finished 12th in the American League MVP balloting.
In any case the Blue Jays and their fans are hoping that the Dodgers move on from Hernandez, so that there is a little less leverage in negotiations going forward.
At this point, the Blue Jays can expect plus power, a below-average walk rate and more strikeouts than they'd prefer from Hernandez, but his knack for performing under pressure and in the big moment under the lights make him a desirable addition to the Jays.
Reuniting Hernandez with best friend Vladimir Guerrero Jr seems to be an obvious no brainer, they thrive together in the clubhouse and on the field.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 22 | 232 ANSWERS Los Angeles Dodgers examining alternatives to Teoscar Hernandez. Will the Dodgers move on from Teoscar Hernandez before he signs elsewhere? | ||
| Yes | 191 | 82.3 % |
| No | 41 | 17.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
