Negotiations between the Dodgers and outfielder Teoscar Hernandez stay at an deadlock, in accordance with a report from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Whereas L.A. and Hernandez have lengthy expressed mutual curiosity in a reunion following a profitable 2024 marketing campaign that resulted in a World Collection championship, earlier reporting indicated a “hole” remained between the perimeters in negotiations. Evidently, that hole stays, as Rosenthal stories that Los Angeles brass are “exploring” right-handed options to Hernandez they might add to their lineup as a substitute. The three names Rosenthal lists as potential choices for the Dodgers are free agent infielder Ha-Seong Kim, Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki, and White Sox middle fielder Luis Robert Jr. Rosenthal emphasizes, nevertheless, that it’s not but clear how severe the Dodgers are about these pursuits.
Of the three names floated, Suzuki is probably the very best alternative for Hernandez from the Dodgers’ perspective. He hit .283/.366/.482 with 21 homers and 16 steals in 132 video games for the Cubs final 12 months. His excessive on-base share and lesser energy make him a considerably completely different taste of hitter than Hernandez, however Suzuki’s 138 wRC+ truly has the sting over Hernandez’s personal determine of 134. Each are usually thought to be below-average defenders in an outfield nook, however both one would offer the Dodgers with an enormous right-handed bat so as to add to their lineup and a daily for the outfield nook not occupied by Michael Conforto.
Good a match as Suzuki could be, nevertheless, buying him could also be simpler mentioned than executed. Rosenthal stories that the Cubs are “not inclined” to commerce Suzuki this winter. The membership entered the offseason with one thing of a logjam within the outfield as a result of presence of each Suzuki and Cody Bellinger, and that logjam solely grew when the membership added star proper fielder Kyle Tucker in a commerce with the Astros earlier this month. Since then, the Cubs dealt Bellinger to the Yankees. Whereas that leaves them in an analogous state of affairs because the one they entered the winter in, with two proper fielders on the roster and Suzuki doubtless relegated to common DH duties, the membership nonetheless appears to choose retaining Suzuki somewhat than parting methods with the proficient hitter.
Rosenthal means that the Cubs really feel that Suzuki could be troublesome to switch resulting from a skinny marketplace for impactful right-handed hitters. Other than Suzuki, the center of Chicago’s lineup is occupied by switch-hitter Ian Happ in addition to lefty bats Tucker and Michael Busch, so Suzuki’s presence provides some much-needed right-handed thump to that blend. Suzuki additionally holds a no-trade clause, however his beforehand reported need to keep away from being a full-time DH might make the potential of a commerce that may make him L.A.’s common proper fielder a palatable choice. Speculatively talking, it’s doable that the Dodgers might embody a proficient right-handed bat equivalent to Andy Pages in a bundle for Suzuki’s companies so as to bridge that hole, although six seasons of crew management over Pages could be a steep value to pay. Suzuki for 2 extra seasons and and can make $19MM in each 2025 and ’26 earlier than hitting free company.
Robert, in the meantime, definitely has the potential to match Hernandez’s offensive impression however has but to exhibit consistency within the majors. The 27-year-old endured the worst season of his profession in 2024 as he hit simply .224/.278/.379 (84 wRC+) whereas hanging out at a 33.2% clip, however hit a way more palatable .287/.331/.511 (129 wRC+) over the prior three seasons and is only one season faraway from a 4.9 fWAR 2023 marketing campaign. Robert pairs that risky however probably impactful bat with spectacular pace (he stole 23 bases in simply 100 video games this 12 months) and high quality protection in middle area. He additionally comes with loads of harm danger, as 2024 was simply the second time in his profession he performed in even 100 video games resulting from various journeys to the injured checklist through the years.
Rosenthal means that if the Dodgers have been to take an opportunity on the talented-but-inconsistent Robert, he’d slot into middle area for Los Angeles. It’s unclear whether or not that may imply transferring Mookie Betts again to proper area and taking part in Tommy Edman at shortstop, or maybe a transfer to second base for Edman that pushes Gavin Lux to the bench (or off the crew through commerce) and leaves proper area open for some mixture of Andy Pages and James Outman. Robert is assured $17MM within the type of a $15MM wage and a $2MM buyout on a $20MM membership choice for 2026, however might be retained through membership choices by means of the tip of the 2027 season if acquired. By way of acquisition value, it’s doable that Robert could be much less dear than Suzuki on condition that Rosenthal stories that the White Sox don’t anticipate to land a number of prime prospects in change for Robert, although they’d desire a “significant piece” in return for the All-Star.
Kim is considerably distinctive as a possible goal for a number of causes. As a free agent, he’d value the Dodgers nothing however cash versus a commerce for Suzuki or Robert that may require some type of participant or prospect return headed the opposite approach. He’s additionally an infielder who derives a lot of his worth from being a plus defender all throughout the infield dust. That makes him a difficult positional match for a Dodgers membership that already figures to juggle Betts, Lux, and Miguel Rojas up the center. Whereas the membership might merely transfer Betts again to proper area, it’s doable they’d choose to maintain him on the dust and play him alongside Kim with one at shortstop and the opposite at second base. That would go away Lux with no place, nevertheless, and in addition depart a gap within the outfield left to be inner choices or one other exterior addition.
Kim can also be by far the weakest hitter of the three on the plate and an plain downgrade from Hernandez offensively. Whereas Kim has improved leaps and bounds on the plate after a lackluster rookie season, he’s nonetheless kind of a league common hitter with a 101 wRC+ in 2024 and a .250/.336/.385 (106 wRC+) line general since changing into a daily in 2022. It’s additionally value noting that he appears ticketed for the injured checklist to start out the season after present process shoulder surgical procedure again in September, although Rosenthal stories that he’s focusing on a return to the diamond “early” within the 2025 season. Even so, that would go away the Dodgers using their inner choices to fill out the lineup card till Kim is able to return to motion.
