Teoscar Hernández took a chance on himself by signing a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers for 2024, and after a successful season with the team, it led to re-signing for multiple years.
Hernández remaining with the Dodgers was widely an expected outcome, but it did come with a change as he played all of the 2025 season in right field. There were misplays and and defensive lapses, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts continued to voice his confidence in Hernández being capable of playing the position.
That sentiment carried into this offseason despite reports of Hernández being on the trade block. While it appears the Dodgers are going to keep the 33-year-old, Hernández is expected to move to left field as a byproduct of the Dodgers signing Kyle Tucker, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:
Fresh off their stunning signing of free-agent right fielder Kyle Tucker, the Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to keep Teoscar Hernández and move him to left field.
Tucker is capable of playing left field, but he hasn’t done so since the 2020 season. Last year with the Chicago Cubs, Tucker started 115 games in right field and 20 more as their designated hitter.
Tucker won a Gold Glove in 2022 and though he isn’t considered an elite defender, the 28-year-old should represent an improvement over Hernández.
Teoscar Hernández’s defensive stats
Last season, Hernández finished with -9 outs above average (OAA), placing him in the third percentile of defenders. He also posted -9 OAA while playing left field in 2024.
The Dodgers moving Hernández to left field still can prove beneficial as some of his defensive limitations figure to be less costly, specifically with allowing a runner to take an extra base.
But whether playing left or right field, Hernández’s biggest contributions needs to come at the plate. He battled through injury last year and hit just 247/.284/.454 with a 102 wRC+.
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