The trade rumors involving Teoscar Hernández, who is under contract for two more years at about $33 million total, are not about moving a bad player. They are about converting a high-cost asset from an area of strength (power) into a necessary asset in an area of weakness (pitching/defense).
Here are the two paths the Dodgers are debating, and why Hernández is the linchpin of that decision:
Path 1: Sticking with What’s Comfortable (The “Power” Team)
- Keep Hernández: You retain the proven, middle-of-the-order power bat who still hit 25 home runs in 2025 and was clutch in both the 2024 and 2025 postseasons.
- The Expectation: This path says the Dodgers are built to simply out-slug opponents. You prioritize offense, relying on the sheer talent of the lineup to overcome any defensive or pitching issues that emerge late in the year.
- The Cost: You stick with his poor defense (-9 Outs Above Average in 2025) and limit the opportunities for high-upside, younger players like Andy Pages, who is ready for a full-time role.
Path 2: Shaking Things Up (The “Calculated” Team)
- Trade Hernández: You gain immediate payroll flexibility and an opportunity to acquire either the dominant pitching depth the bullpen desperately needs or a true defensive-first center fielder.
- The Expectation: This path is the classic Andrew Friedman move: convert a high-priced, replaceable asset (power hitters are easier to find than dominant relievers) into a cheaper, controllable player who fills a critical need. This creates a more balanced, sustainable roster.
- The Goal: The ultimate goal of this flexibility could be a pursuit of a defensive upgrade like Byron Buxton (via trade) or a long-term contract for a top free-agent outfielder to redefine the position.
The Verdict: A Calculated Transition
The fact that the Dodgers have even allowed the conversation to leak suggests they are in a Calculated Transition phase. They just won back-to-back World Series titles, but they know the bullpen and outfield defense were major risks.
- The Edwin Díaz Deal: The record-breaking signing of Edwin Díaz addressed the bullpen (the biggest fear). Trading Hernández now provides the financial room to add the last piece of the puzzle, whether it’s a right-handed infielder (like Alex Bregman) or an elite defender.
- The Roster Blueprint: The ultimate goal is to get younger and cheaper around the core of Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Shohei Ohtani. Trading the 33-year-old Hernández accelerates this shift, setting up the roster for a potential three-peat and years of sustained dominance afterward.
The next steps will define whether the Dodgers choose to simply add comfort, or if they continue to operate as the ruthless, calculating organization that always plans two moves ahead.
