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Los Angeles Dodgers fans can breathe a little easier: despite speculation fueled by the arrival of Kyle Tucker, Teoscar Hernandez is likely to remain with the team on Opening Day, according to reports from The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and ESPN.
- Hernandez is expected to shift to left field,with Tucker taking his customary spot in right.
- Andy Pages and Tommy Edman will compete for playing time in center field.
- The Dodgers downplayed trade possibilities in December, and Hernandez’s contract structure makes a deal feasible for other teams.
The Dodgers are planning to move Hernandez to left field, with Tucker settling into right field. Andy Pages and Tommy Edman are expected to primarily share center field duties,while Alex Call will serve as a reserve outfielder. The second base situation remains fluid, with Edman potentially a leading candidate alongside miguel Rojas, Hyeseong Kim, Alex Freeland, and recent addition Andy Ibanez. A potential reunion with Enrique Hernandez this offseason hasn’t been ruled out either.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and General Manager Brandon Gomes publicly downplayed the possibility of trading Hernandez back in December. Rosenthal’s initial report regarding trade discussions also indicated that a move was “unlikely,” especially considering the Dodgers signed Hernandez to a three-year, $66 million free agent contract just a year ago. The remaining financial commitment breaks down to $12 million in 2026, $14.5 million in 2027, and a $6.5 million buyout of a $15 million club option for the 2028 season.
The deferred money likely piqued the interest of several teams needing outfield help, with the Kansas City Royals reportedly among those who inquired. While the Dodgers aren’t necessarily driven by luxury tax concerns,moving Hernandez would create financial versatility and open up opportunities for other players. Call or Edman could see increased playing time, and it would also clear a path for some of the Dodgers’ highly-touted outfield prospects, such as Josue De Paula, to potentially make their Major League debuts in 2026.
Keeping Hernandez avoids potential depth issues or relying on unproven players as the Dodgers aim for a third consecutive World Series title. However, Hernandez’s trade value may have been affected by his performance in 2025. He did hit 25 home runs, but his .247/.284/.454 slash line resulted in a wRC+ of only 102, and his walk rate dropped to a career-low 4.8%.
Hernandez posted a 107 wRC+ in 2023, and showed enhancement in his first season with the Dodgers in 2024. Another strong performance isn’t out of the question as he enters his age-33 season, but his defensive limitations mean his value is heavily tied to his offensive production.
If the dodgers do decide to explore trades, Rosenthal suggests that right-hander Bobby Miller or minor league outfielder Ryan ward could be potential trade chips. Miller, once a top prospect, had a strong 2023 rookie season but has struggled since Opening Day 2024, posting an 8.85 ERA over 61 innings. He made only two Major League appearances in 2025 while battling control issues at the Triple-A level. Ward, an eighth-round pick in 2019, excelled in Triple-A in 2025, but at
