The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the offseason with a number of questions in their outfield, but now have needed clarity as the start of Spring Training approaches.
In an attempt to optimize one of their corner spots, the Dodgers signed Michael Conforto to a one-year, $17 million contract. The 31-year-old is entering his 10th Major League season, with upside production that should allow him the left-handed hitter to avoid being relegated to a platoon role.
Conforto has an easy road to being the everyday left fielder, with every defensive inning played last season coming in that spot. With the San Francisco Giants, he was an average defender when slotted in left field.
The real splash came when the Dodgers struck a reunion with Teoscar Hernández on a three-year contract worth $66 million that includes an option for the 2028 season. His influence on the team goes beyond his play, and felt like a necessary, quality-of-life, roster addition.
While Hernández is back with the Dodgers, he’s now expected to play right field due in part to Mookie Betts moving to shortstop.
As for the Dodgers’ plans in center field, manager Dave Roberts told Kirsten Watson the team still has to make a decision, via SportsNet LA:
”I think right now, you can look at the corners, and right field is Teo’s natural position. So to expect to see him in right field on Opening Day is very feasible, plausible. And to see Michael Conforto in left field, where he feels really comfortable there, makes a lot of sense.
“And then as far as center field, I think we’ve got to kind of figure out some things in center field. But we’ve got some very good candidates.”
Hernández going back to right-field should provide an uptick in his defensive metrics and overall comfort with the glove.
Looking out at center field, the Dodgers have Tommy Edman to seemingly get the majority of time at the position.
Edman and the Dodgers came together in agreement on a five-year, $74 million contract extension in late November. His prowess at multiple defensive positions makes him a useful player for Roberts, and the plan is likely for him to get the bulk of reps in center field.
Dodgers center field options
If Edman is not named the regular center fielder, the Dodgers could turn to Andy Pages or perhaps give James Outman another opportunity after he endured a tough season that entailed losing the starting role.
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