Over a billion dollars spent in free agency this offseason still might not be enough for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman spoke Sunday on MLB Network Radio and made some noteworthy comments about what the team’s next move might be. He said that the team is focused on adding a right-handed hitting outfielder who can crush lefties and hold his own against righties as well, per MLB analyst Jim Bowden.
Many immediately pointed out that free agent outfielder Teoscar Hernandez fits exactly that billing. It is also worth mentioning that MLB insider Hector Gomez reported earlier in the weekend that the Dodgers have emerged as the new frontrunner to sign the 31-year-old Hernandez.
An All-Star in 2021 with the Toronto Blue Jays, Hernandez is a righty batter who can play exclusively in the outfield (not necessarily at DH where Shohei Ohtani will now be for the Dodgers). He tore up left-handers last season with the Seattle Mariners (batting .287 with an .817 OPS) and did well enough against right-handers too (.249 with a .718 OPS).
The Dodgers did decide to bring back a key outfielder from last year’s team during the early stages of free agency. But they clearly have unlimited funds to work with this offseason and might now be bringing in Hernandez too.
Update: The Dodgers have indeed signed Hernandez to a one-year deal worth $23.5 million, according to multiple reports.
