As the MLB winter meetings unfold, the Dodgers are in a heated race to secure outfielder Teoscar Hernández amid rising interest from rival teams.
Last year, the Dodgers were the talk of the town, especially with the Shohei Ohtani buzz. This time, they’re a bit quieter but still making moves. They recently signed Blake Snell to a hefty contract and brought back Blake Treinen while adding Michael Conforto for some outfield support.
But the Dodgers still have some work to do. Manager Dave Roberts and GM Brandon Gomes shared some insights on what’s next for the team. The spotlight is on Hernández, who’s still a free agent. After a great season, he’s looking to stay in L.A., but with other teams eyeing him, the competition is heating up.
Roberts is a big fan of Hernández, praising his ability to play consistently and contribute to the team’s success. However, with the recent big contracts being thrown around, Hernández is in a strong position to negotiate. If the Dodgers can’t keep him, they’ll need to find a solid replacement, which might be tricky given the current market.
Another name to watch is Roki Sasaki, a young pitcher from Japan who’s about to be posted for MLB teams. The Dodgers are interested, but they’ll face stiff competition from other clubs, including the Padres.
In other news, Mookie Betts is set to return to shortstop next season, a position he hasn’t played regularly since high school. The Dodgers are hopeful he’ll improve with more practice.
After missing out on Juan Soto, the Dodgers aren’t too bummed. They were in the running but couldn’t match the Mets’ massive offer.
Lastly, there’s some concern about Shohei Ohtani’s recovery from surgery. While he’s expected to be in the lineup, pitching might be a different story. The team is focused on ensuring he’s at his best when it matters most.