The Dodgers insist there’s no Teoscar Hernández trade in motion—but the harder they deny it, the more suspicion they create.NL
FRIEDMAN’S FAMILIAR GAME: “WE DON’T ANTICIPATE”
The Los Angeles Dodgers are stirring up suspicion and confusion across the league as trade rumors involving veteran slugger Teoscar Hernández intensify, despite repeated denials from the front office. After insisting they weren’t adding major salary only to sign closer Edwin Díaz to a record-setting $69 million contract, fans are left wondering whether Los Angeles is once again playing the familiar game of calculated misdirection.
While General Manager Brandon Gomes stated trading Hernández “doesn’t feel likely,” reputable insiders like Bob Nightengale and Ken Rosenthal have reported that the Dodgers are actively “shopping” the outfielder or “kicking the tires” on a potential deal.
THE TRADING RATIONALE: TWO YEARS AND $33 MILLION
The trade rationale is classic Andrew Friedman: converting a high-priced asset in an area of depth (offense) into much-needed controllable pieces in an area of weakness (pitching/defense).
- Financial Flexibility: Moving the $33 million owed to Hernández over the next two seasons would immediately clear payroll space to pursue another high-profile bat or make a necessary, long-term trade for an ace starter like Tarik Skubal.
- Defensive Liability: Hernández’s defense was poor last season, ranking in the $6^{\text{th}}$ percentile for fielding run value—a liability the team is eager to eliminate to secure a “three-peat” title.
- Filling Holes: Trading Hernández could be the centerpiece of a deal to land a Gold Glove-caliber defender like Brendan Donovan (Cardinals) or Steven Kwan (Guardians), solving the defensive crisis immediately. The Kansas City Royals have been mentioned as a top suitor looking for Hernández’s power.
THE FAN’S DILEMMA
Fans are right to be skeptical of the denials. The Dodgers have developed a clear pattern of downplaying interest in a player or a move, only to execute a blockbuster.
Manager Dave Roberts’ insistence that Hernández “certainly fits” and is “one of my favorites” provides an emotional counter-argument, highlighting the star’s immense popularity and clutch hitting during their back-to-back World Series runs.
The question remains: Is the front office truly valuing clubhouse chemistry and October production, or is this all noise designed to lower Hernández’s perceived value before they execute a final, game-changing trade that shocks the MLB world once again?
