LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers made another big move this offseason by signing All-Star outfielder Teoscar Hernández to a one-year, $23.5 million contract. Sources have confirmed the deal, although the club has yet to make an official announcement.
The Dodgers, already having added notable players such as Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Manuel Margot, were actively seeking a right-handed-hitting outfielder who excels against left-handed pitching and can hold his own against right-handers.
Hernández was a top target for the Dodgers during this winter. Despite receiving two-year offers from the Red Sox and Angels, he ultimately decided to sign a one-year deal with the Dodgers to be part of what is expected to be one of the strongest offenses in Major League Baseball.
Known for his consistent power, Hernández has hit at least 25 home runs in each of the past four full seasons, including 26 homers in the 2023 season with the Mariners after being traded from the Blue Jays.
A particularly strong hitter against left-handed pitching, Hernández boasts a career .887 OPS against southpaws. With the Dodgers, he is expected to start in right field against left-handers and shift to left field against right-handers, allowing Mookie Betts to primarily play second base while Chris Taylor serves as a utility man.
With Hernández now on their roster, the Dodgers are unlikely to make any further additions to their position player group this offseason. The team had explored options at shortstop, but no deals materialized, including a potential trade with the Brewers for Willy Adames.
Although Hernández’s performance in the 2023 season did not meet expectations, his plate discipline and offensive skills are still noteworthy. While his 105 wRC+ and .741 OPS were lower than in previous years, he demonstrated a strong ability to hit the ball hard, with a 49.4 percent hard-hit rate and 13.8 percent barrel rate.
Defensively, Hernández may not be considered elite, but he brings value to the outfield with his strong and accurate arm. He recorded 12 assists last season, tying for the third most among outfielders, and has tallied 22 assists over the past two seasons, trailing only the Nationals’ Lane Thomas.
Hernández’s most productive season to date was in 2021, when he hit 32 home runs, drove in 116 runs, and posted an impressive .296/.346/.524 slash line with the Toronto Blue Jays.
In summary, the Los Angeles Dodgers have bolstered their roster with the addition of Teoscar Hernández, a power-hitting outfielder known for his prowess against left-handed pitching. With a one-year contract in place, Hernández will contribute to what is expected to be one of the strongest offenses in baseball and provide a valuable presence in the outfield for the Dodgers.