The Los Angeles Dodgers are indeed facing a high-stakes outfield dilemma that will dictate their roster construction and their quest for a historic three-peat in 2026.
The renewed interest in Cody Bellinger and the active trade buzz around Teoscar Hernández represent a tug-of-war between two vastly different philosophies for solving their primary weakness: corner outfield defense and bullpen depth.
1. The Cody Bellinger Reunion Rumor (Nostalgia vs. Cost)
The Dodgers’ interest in a Bellinger reunion is highly credible, fueled by his successful “Bronx Revival” in 2025:
| The Draw of Bellinger | The Dilemma for the Dodgers |
| Defensive Savior: He is a plus-defender across all three outfield spots and offers flexibility at first base. His $+9 \text{ Fielding Run Value}$ would immediately fix the weak left field defense (where Michael Conforto struggled). | Contract Risk: Bellinger is seeking a long-term, $\text{\$180M+}$ deal. Given his steep decline with the Dodgers in 2021-2022, the team may be hesitant to commit that kind of money/term, preferring to use it on pitching. |
| Batting Profile: His left-handed bat (125 wRC+ and 29 HR in 2025) provides a high-impact presence that the lineup craves, and agent Scott Boras confirms Bellinger is “very welcoming” of a return. | Primary Competition: The Yankees are prioritizing Bellinger as their No. 1 target, which is driving up the final price and making it harder for the Dodgers to sneak in a deal. |
2. The Teoscar Hernández Trade Buzz (Power vs. Pitching)
The shocking rumor that the Dodgers are even discussing trading Teoscar Hernández (a consistent $\text{25+ HR}$ hitter and World Series hero) highlights the front office’s primary priority: pitching.
| The Draw of Trading Hernández | The Dilemma for the Dynasty |
| Frees Up Resources: Trading Teoscar (owed $\text{\$33 million}$ over the next two years) creates crucial payroll and roster flexibility to aggressively pursue elite relief pitching (the team’s biggest weakness in 2025). | Loss of Power: Teoscar has hit $\text{25+ HR}$ for five straight seasons and provided critical postseason power (5 HR in the 2025 playoffs). Trading him means the Dodgers immediately need to replace that slugging. |
| Fixes Defense: Hernández was statistically one of the worst defensive right fielders in MLB in 2025 (-9 Outs Above Average). Moving him opens up right field for a better defender, like Andy Pages or a trade acquisition. | The ‘Unlikely’ Factor: Insiders like Ken Rosenthal stress the deal is “unlikely” because the Dodgers are still aiming for three-peat, and trading a known power bat is counterintuitive to winning now. |
The High-Stakes Dilemma
The final choice between these two moves is a choice of emphasis:
| If Dodgers Sign Bellinger (Free Agent) | If Dodgers Trade Hernández (Trade) |
| Prioritizes: Elite defense and versatility. | Prioritizes: Pitching, payroll flexibility, and depth. |
| Outcome: Stronger defense; higher payroll commitment; less focus on a big bullpen acquisition. | Outcome: Weaker offensive power; immediate pitching upgrade/prospects; lower long-term payroll. |
The move hinges on whether the Dodgers believe the improved defense and left-handed hitting of Bellinger is worth a $\text{\$200M+}$ contract, or if sacrificing Hernández’s power is the necessary cost to build a bullpen capable of protecting their leads.
