December 11th, 2024 at 8:00 am 
by Jesse Pearce * * *
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The Dodgers 2025 roster remains a work-in-progress, as President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman and his staff continue with their modus operandi of methodical patience, tough negotiations, and innovative structuring of contracts. So far, the Dodgers have added 32-year-old left-handed starting pitcher Blake Snell and 31-year-old lefty-swinging outfielder Michael Conforto, then re-signed 36-year-old right-handed reliever Blake Treinen, as the roster structuring continues.
(Jesse Johnson – USA Today Sports)
So… “What’s next?”
(ESPN)
With left field the likely domain for Michael Conforto’s limited range and arm strength, Tommy Edman the regular centerfielder, and Mookie Betts at shortstop, there is a critical vacancy in right field and the middle of the batting order. Teoscar wants to be a Dodger, the Dodgers want him to be a Dodger, yet there is a reported “gap” in the negotiations. And, that gap may be growing toward a chasm.
The Dodgers aren’t the only team willing to spend money, and those teams (Blue Jays, Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies, et al.) that lost out in the Juan Soto sweepstakes may be driving up the price (dollars and years) for Hernández – possibly beyond what Friedman is willing to commit.
If Teoscar signs with another team, “What’s next?”
How many prospects would the Dodgers be willing to trade for soon-to-be (on January 17) 28-year-old Houston Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker – a three-time All-Star, Gold Glove, and Silver Slugger winner, and 2022 World Series Champion – who will be a free agent after the 2025 season?
Indeed, “What’s next?”
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Great piece, Jesse (loved the ‘West Wing’ tie in).
Not gonna lie, I believe that Teo will not be re-signed by the Dodgers, this despite his excellend 2024 season and him being an outstanding clubhouse guy. I most certainly wish him well moving forward.
Thanks, and I agree with you that Teoscar is headed to another team.
Say it ain’t so, Joe…..er….uh…Jesse!
It seems clear Teo’s “people’ are telling him he can get more dollars (and possibly more years) now that Soto has been signed to such a huge long contract. I think Teo knows full well he can only ask for so much additional before pricing himself out of the one place he WANTS to be.
I’d completely understand him going for more money – pro careers are terribly short – but I also think he wouldn’t have been so repetitively outspoken about wanting to re-sign with the Dodgers unless he truly liked the organization, the manager, friends in the lock room and living in Los Angeles. All that said, I think he swallows hard and comes back!
I would like to have Teo back. I believe AF will have to guarantee a 3rd year to have any shot at resigning him.
Dan and Ohio — reasons for my pessimism:
2025 will be Teoscar’s age 32 season and I think he wants at least a four year contract and some team will give it to him, but I doubt it will be the Dodgers.
He sees what other players are getting paid in $ and years and wants to be compensated as well as his cohorts.
Teoscar’s defense went from marginal early in the 2024 season to well below average and in postseason he was regularly replaced in late innings for better defense. Another concern for the Dodgers that limits the number of guaranteed years they want to offer. I agree Ohio, a three year guaranteed contract is the floor to re-sign Teoscar.
I want Teoscar to return, but I’m pessimistic.
I share your pessimism Jesse. Mainly because with the dearth of OF talent out there, some team will give Teo 4 years. I am hoping that Outman can regain his mojo. If we don’t resign Teo we could pivot to Santander. I would prefer we make a play for Suzuki but I believe the Cubs are more interested in unloading Bellinger than Suzuki. Gonna be interesting to see how it all shakes out. Go Dodgers!!!
Would the Dodgers consider Profar if they whiff on Teo??
I hope not, I don’t care for his on-field demeanor. And, Profar/Conforto play LF.
I think we missed the boat on Tyler O’Neill.
the other side
Teo will sign 4 yrs 90 mil with the dodgers
a lot of deferred money will be involved.
check out his 1 yr deal a lot deferred .
Dodgers in a bind not many qualified OFers.
Suzuki has full no trade.
Would profar even consider the hated dodgers?
What would the astros want for Tucker? and how
left handed would we be?
Using Acoms Razor!!!! Teo makes the most sense.
Certainly possible about Teoscar, but I think the 4th year is the issue more than $.
I recently read that Suzuki is unhappy how the Cubs put him at DH — he wants to play OF. My guess, he would waive his no trade to be a regular for Dodgers with Ohtani and Yamamoto.
As you previously have pointed out, the Dodgers could wait until trade deadline and use Pages and Outman in a platoon in RF.
Rumors that White Sox are open to trading Robert Jr.
Problem with Robert Jr contract fairly high.
Let’s say we go with what we have
Ohtani
Betts
Freeman
W Smith
Muncy
Edman
Conforto
Pages
Lux
Not a bad team at all.
Agreed, that is a very good lineup — just need platoon partner for Lux and another for Pages. Robert Jr. only owed $15M in 2025 ($2M less than Conforto and likely $8M to $10M less than Teoscar) with $20M team options for 2026 and 2027. In today’s market, those are team friendly amounts.
How bout CT3 for 2b or certainly Rojas.
Feduccia and or Outman for the OF.
Leaves us with lots of wiggle room.
Kiki still available. 1 yr 8 mil.
Good choices (I think Feduccia is limited to the catching position).
Rojas for sure, Taylor and Outman are are huge ? for me going to Spring Training. Kike is definitely a consideration.
I think profar may have really hurt himself with those dopey antics in the playoffs.
Agreed. IMO, Profar fits into my category of never wanting to see him in a Dodgers uniform. Current members include: Tommy Pham, Manny Machado, Carlos Correa, George Springer, Justin Verlander…
Max Scherzer.
Indeed. There are others on the naughty list
Juan Soto add to your list. Tattis as well.
No interest in seeing them in blue.
Devon Williams to Yanks for Nestor Cortes
Good adds, thanks
update
Now Teo is not looking for any deferred money in his new contract.
Plus his agent apparently has told the Dodgers how much he wants in signing bonus and I believe its a 4 yr deal. Santander who has had 1 big yr is looking for a 5 yr deal!!!!!!
Money has gotten out of control.
Could the dodgers convince Mookie to go back to RF and sign Hasam Kim for SS.
If Betts would play RF the team’s defense would be so much better, even if no one else is acquired. Betts in RF, Conforto in LF, Pages & Outman Platon in CF, Edman at SS, Lux and Rojas platoon at 2b.
In 2024, Conforto posted a .632 OPS at home compared with .852 on the road. He hit 17 of his 20 homers — and notched 51 of his 66 RBIs — away from Oracle Park. In just about every offensive stat, Conforto was a far more productive player on the road.
Great stuff, Steven. Thanks!
Conforto may be the 2025 version of Teoscar Hernandez.