The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the 2025 season as the oldest roster in the Majors, with an average age of around 31 years old. Teoscar Hernández was above the mean at the start of the season, and turned 33 years old in October.
It has been rumored that Hernández could be on the move this offseason after he regressed at the plate and was a defensive liability at times in 2025 while battling injuries. Although, Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes has downplayed the possibility of Hernández being traded.
As long as Hernández is in the Dodgers organization, he plans on continuing his role as a mentor for the few young players on the roster. The 10-year veteran said that it is his pleasure to do so because he takes pride in helping the next generation on MLB athletes learn the ropes, according to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“It’s not that it’s my responsibility. It makes me feel good doing it because I didn’t have that when I started,” said Hernandez, who came up in the Houston Astros’ system. “For me, doing things to help others through what I went through, to me it’s a blessing. I’m at a point in my career where doing that makes me feel good about myself and the things that I went through. I thank God that I went through that and now I have the power to show others to not let down, to not feel down, to keep going. Because this is not easy.
“I know those guys are going to be the future for this team and they play my position. A lot of people ask me, ‘You don’t worry about that?’ No, I don’t care. I don’t think about that. I just want the people around me to be good, my teammates to be great and everybody to be good.”
Andy Pages was one of the main beneficiaries of Hernández’s generosity. Pages wrapped up his second season in the Majors at just 24 years old this past year.
The young outfielder was grateful for the mentorship Hernández provided, especially early on into the season. Pages struggled defensively and on the basepaths on multiple occasions during the opening stages of the 2025 season, often times making notable contributions to losses.
Through 13 games, Pages was hitting .171/.306/.341 with one double, two home runs, two RBI, six walks and a 32.7% strikeout rate. Through his own hard work and guidance from Hernández, the recently turned 25-year-old executed a 180° and went on to enjoy an impressive sophomore season.
Pages improved upon his 2024 season in many major categories at the plate, batting .272/.313/.461 with 27 doubles, 27 home runs and 86 RBI, which translated to a 113 wRC+. His 27 homers were ninth-best in the Majors among players 25 or younger.
Teoscar Hernández could play important role in shaping the Dodgers’ future
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said the organization is aware of the need to get younger throughout the roster. It is a process the front office hopes to start sooner rather than later.
Hernández is under contract through the 2027 season, with a club option for 2028. Having a veteran who willingly takes on a mentorship role will be extremely valuable for the Dodgers in 2027 at the very least, if he manages to stick around that long.
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