Will Teoscar Hernandez Be Traded? Latest Dodgers Rumors After MLB World Series Win

Despite some outside interest in Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández, the 33-year-old veteran reportedly isn't expected to be traded this offseason.

According to Ken Rosenthal and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, Hernández's name has been "coming up in trade conversations," although the Dodgers believe it is "unlikely" they will move him.

After Hernández had stints with the Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners, the Dodgers signed him to a one-year deal in free agency prior to the 2024 season.

That decision paid dividends, as Hernández slashed .272/.339/.501 with 33 home runs and 99 RBI en route to being named an All-Star for the second time in his career and winning his third Silver Slugger Award.

Hernández then proceeded to slash .250/.352/.417 with three homers and 12 RBI in 16 playoff games en route to the Dodgers winning the World Series.

The Dodgers rewarded Hernández with a new, three-year, $66 million deal in free agency, and he contributed to another World series winner.

His production dipped to the tune of .247/.284/.454 with 25 home runs and 89 RBI during the regular season, but he was the Dodgers' most consistent offensive player in the outfield, and he rose to the occasion in the playoffs once again, slashing .257/.303/.486 with five homers and 13 RBI in 17 games.

Per Rosenthal and Mooney, any decision to trade Hernández would be based primarily on his defensive shortcomings.

He ranked 33rd out of 36 qualified outfielders in outs above average last season, and the L.A. outfield in its entirety ranked just 18th out of 30 teams in that category.

Rosenthal and Mooney noted that trading Hernández could allow for Andy Pages to move to right field, and the Dodgers could then pursue a center fielder with strong defensive abilities.

Even with Hernández on the team, the Dodgers are reportedly already in the market for an outfielder, which could potentially deter them from parting ways with the most reliable outfielder on the roster.

It isn't surprising that a right-handed power hitter like Hernández is generating interest, but given the Dodgers' success over the past two seasons with him as a central figure in the lineup, keeping him and building the outfield around him may be the best course of action.