UPDATE (January 7, 7 p.m. PT): The Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly are signing Teoscar Hernández to a one-year, $23.5 million contract.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have already made their biggest moves this offseason in signing Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto while also acquiring Tyler Glasnow, but there’s still work to be done.
They have reportedly been in the market for another starting pitcher, and the Dodgers have also checked in on multiple relief pitchers, including Josh Hader, Robert Stephenson and Ryan Brasier.
While their lineup is set at most positions, one area that remains a need is corner outfield as Mookie Betts is set to play second base on a daily basis. They have previously been connected to left-handers Joc Pederson and Max Kepler, but neither appear to be a fit at this point.
The Dodgers are primarily targeting a right-handed hitter who profiles well against left-handed pitchers and can start against righties as well, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said on MLB Network Radio:
“We feel really good about our team right now. I think if there was one area, batting, a right-handed bat that profiles really well against left-handed pitching, can hold their own against right, is something that is on our radar. Whether that’s trade or free agent, would be good to add someone like that to the middle of our lineup. We’re going to be really left-handed, and so to be able to add that to break that up and make an opposing managers’ job that much harder is something that’s front of mind for us.”
On the free agent market, the Dodgers have been widely connected to Teoscar Hernández, and Tommy Pham has been on their radar as well.
The Dodgers are considered to be among the leaders to sign Hernández, according to multiple reports, but it would likely take a four-year contract. Pham is projected to sign for one season, but provides less upside against left-handed pitching.
Hernández is coming off a down season with the Seattle Mariners, but still hit .258/.305/.435 with 29 doubles, 26 home runs, 93 RBI, 106 OPS+, .317 wOBA and 105 wRC+ over 160 games. Against left-handed pitching, he hit .287/.307/.511 with 11 doubles, seven home runs and 27 RBI in 150 plate appearances.
From 2020-2022, Hernández had three consecutive seasons of at least an .807 on-base plus slugging percentage and 130 wRC+. That stretch included a Silver Slugger Award in back-to-back years and selection to the 2021 MLB All-Star Game.
Tommy Pham: no hard feelings against Dodgers
Pham signed with the New York Mets last offseason but was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks at the deadline. However, if Pham had it his way, he would have joined the Dodgers.
The 35-year-old revealed he had interest in signing with the Dodgers but was rejected twice by Friedman after trying to join the team, but said he has no ill will toward the organization for passing on him.
After being traded, Pham became an important part of the Diamondbacks lineup, hitting .241/.304/.415 with 12 doubles, two triples, six home runs, 32 RBI and 11 stolen bases across 50 games for them.
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