Negotiations between the Dodgers and outfielder Teoscar Hernandez remain tense, according to a report from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. While LA and Hernandez have long expressed mutual interest in reuniting following a successful 2024 campaign that ended in a World Series championship, previous reports indicated that a “gap” remains between the sides in negotiations. Apparently, that gap still exists, as Rosenthal reports that the Los Angeles brass is “exploring” other right-handed options for Hernandez to add to their roster instead. Three of the names Rosenthal listed as potential options for the Dodgers are free agent infielders Ha-Seong KimCubs playing outside Seiya Suzukiand the White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. Rosenthal insists, however, that it’s unclear how serious the Dodgers are in those ways.
Of the three names floating around, Suzuki is perhaps the best replacement for Hernandez in the Dodgers’ opinion. He hit .283/.366/.482 with 21 homers and 16 steals in 132 games for the Cubs last year. His higher slugging percentage and less power make him a different hitting flavor than Hernandez, but Suzuki’s 138 wRC+ is an edge over Hernandez’s 134 figure. Both are generally considered below-average defenders in the corner outfield, but either one would give the Dodgers a big right-handed bat to add to their lineup and a regular in the corner outfield. Michael Conforto.
It’s a good fit for the Suzuki, however, finding him might be easier said than done. Rosenthal reports that the Cubs are “not interested” in trading Suzuki this winter. The club entered the offseason with some sore spots on the field due to the presence of both Suzuki and Suzuki. Cody Bellingerand that logjam only increased when the club added an asterisk to the right Kyle Tucker in a trade with the Astros earlier this month. Since then, the Cubs have traded Bellinger to the Yankees. While that leaves them in the same situation they were in over the winter, with two right-handed hitters on the roster and Suzuki likely relegated to regular DH duties, the club still appears to prefer keeping Suzuki rather than parting ways with a talented hitter.
Rosenthal suggests the Cubs feel Suzuki will be difficult to replace because of the small market for power-hitting right-handed hitters. Outside of Suzuki, the Chicago center is occupied by a switch-hitter Ian Happ and the remaining bats Tucker and Michael Buschso Suzuki’s presence adds a much-needed slap in the right hand to that mix. Suzuki also carries a no-trade clause, but his previously reported desire to avoid being a full-time DH could make for a trade opportunity that would make the regular LA outfielder an attractive option. Speaking of speculation, it’s possible the Dodgers could field a talented right-handed bat like Andy Pages in Suzuki’s equipment package to close that gap, although six seasons of team control over the pages may be a small price to pay. Suzuki has two more seasons and will make $19MM in both 2025 and ’26 before hitting free agency.
Robert, on the other hand, has the ability to match Hernandez’s offensive impact but has yet to show consistency in the majors. The 27-year-old endured the worst season of his career in 2024 as he hit .224/.278/.379 (84 wRC+) while hitting at a 33.2% clip, but hit a palatable .287/. 331/.511 (129 wRC+) over the past three seasons and is one season removed from a 4.9 fWAR 2023 campaign. Robert pairs that variable but impactful bat with incredible speed (he stole 23 bases in just 100 games this year) with quality defense in center field. He comes with plenty of injury risk, as 2024 was only the second time in his career that he’s played in even 100 games due to multiple trips to the injured list over the years.
Rosenthal suggests that if the Dodgers were to take a chance on the talented but consistent Robert, he would be in Los Angeles. It is unclear whether that would mean a move Mookie Betts return to the right field and play Tommy Edman to shortstop, or perhaps to Edman’s pushover second base Gavin Lux on the bench (or out of the team by trade) and left right field open for a combination of Andy Pages and James Outman. Robert is guaranteed $17MM in the form of a $15MM salary and a $2MM buyout with a $20MM club option for 2026, but could be retained with club options through the end of the 2027 season if acquired. In terms of acquisition costs, it is possible that Robert will have a lower price than Suzuki as Rosenthal reports that the White Sox do not expect to receive many top prospects in exchange for Robert, although they will want a “meaningful piece” in return. the All-Star.
Kim is somewhat unique as a potential destination for a number of reasons. As a free agent, he wouldn’t cost the Dodgers anything but money in exchange for a Suzuki or Robert trade that would require a certain type of player or return prospects looking the other way. He’s also an infielder who gets the most out of his value as an outfielder covering every dirty spot in the infield. That makes him a tricky prospect for a Dodgers club that already has Betts, Lux, and Miguel Rojas up in the middle. While the club could simply move Betts back to right field, it may prefer to keep him in the dirt and play him alongside Kim at shortstop and second base. That would leave Lux out of position, however, and leave a hole in the outfield for interior options or other exterior additions.
Kim is also the weakest hitter of the three at the plate and an undeniable takedown from Hernandez offensively. Although Kim has improved after a lackluster rookie season, he is still a league-average hitter with a 101 wRC+ in 2024 and a .250/.336/.385 line (106 wRC+) since becoming a regular in 2022. Also important is that he appears to be on the injured list to start the season after shoulder surgery. back in September, though Rosenthal reportedly intends to return to the diamond “early” for the 2025 season. Still, that will leave the Dodgers using their internal options to fill out the roster until Kim is ready to return to action.
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