January 4th, 2025 at 10:45 am 
by Ron Cervenka Early Friday afternoon, the Dodgers officially announced that they had re-signed extremely popular 32-year-old outfielder/designated hitter Teoscar Hernández to a three-year/$66 million contract extension that will keep him in Dodger Blue through the 2027 season.
“I was going to do everything in my power to come back. For me, money wasn’t an issue,” the Cotui, Dominican Republic native, two-time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger, and 2024 Home Run Derby Champion said during his Friday afternoon press conference. “I could’ve gotten five or six more mil from other teams, but if you put me in a place where I had to decide, I would decide to come back because of the way this organization is,” added Teo.
“You can feel the energy he brings to the clubhouse … the infectious smile that he has each and every day,” Dodgers General Manager Brandon Gomes told reporters. “He was like, ‘Hey, this is a one-year deal, but in an ideal world, we win a World Series and this relationship gets to continue well beyond the one year. It doesn’t always work out this way, but I would say that we’re in an ideal world right now’.”
(SportsNet LA)
Although Gomes’ comment certainly comes across as company line-ish, it also brings to mind the old cliché “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
“Teo checked every single box,” added Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “Shooting a one-year flyer on a player doesn’t always go out into an extension or a multiyear deal, but just what he did for us and how he made everyone better, it was a no-brainer.”
The Teo announcement was (very) welcome news for Dodgers fans but it wasn’t the only big news out of Chavez Ravine for the defending World Series Champions on Friday. Shortly before the Teo news broke, the Dodgers announced that they had signed 26-year-old Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) superstar utility infielder Hyeseong Kim to a three-year/$12.5 million contract, with club options for 2028 and 2029.
“We’re really excited to add him into the mix. We’re talking about a double-plus runner, a really good defender at multiple spots, and some real up-side with the bat,” Gomes told SportsNet LA’s Kirsten Watson. “So we’re excited to get him working with our group and into the next Spring Training.”
While the Kim signing is certainly great news for Dodgers fans, it immediately raises concerns about what the teams’ plans are for current utility players Gavin Lux, Kiké Hernández, and Chris Taylor, among others. According to Gomes, none at all. This from Dodgers beat writer Fabian Ardaya on X.com:
And there’s this from MLB Trade Rumors:
(MLB Trade Rumors)
Although all of this sounds as though ‘all is well in the universe’ and sounds ‘politically correct,’ the chances of the Dodgers beginning the 2025 regular season with four utility infielders on their 26-man – or even their 40-man roster – are very remote; of this you can be sure.
Play Ball!
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Gomes is the spin master for Friedman.
I see a trade or two coming.
Arenado?
Luis Robert Jr.?
Sandy Alcantara?
Luis Castillo?
Seiya Suzuki?
Ryan Helsley?
Maybe 1 or 2 more F.A. signings,
Tanner Scott, Roki Sasaki?
I am one of the few who wants Arenado at third base for Dodgers. Now, I think the signing of Kim makes a trade for Arenado extremely unlikely as it would leave Muncy without a position, or a trade piece — neither of which the Dodgers seem likely to do considering his very team friendly contract relative to his offensive production. And, after the 2025 season the NPB third base star player Murakami will be a free agent and only 26 years old. Regardless of what the Dodgers are saying publicly, I think Lux and reliever Ryan Braiser are more likely trade pieces than roster locks.
Kim hasn’t played an inning in the majors. I would keep Gavin Lux on the team. Coming off the broken leg he improved quite a bit in the second half and proved himself fine in the playoffs. So no to trading Lux.
I’d prefer to keep lux.
We need someone to back up 3b. Especially against lefties? CT3? Rojas?
If you trade Lux in a package for ARenado
Then put Arenado at third base and Muncy back to 2b. Rojas and Kim back up infielders.
OK, we can agree to disagree about Lux. Check Lux stats last postseason — he tanked. Regarding Kim not playing an inning in ML — true, but also true when Nomo, Darvish, Ryu. Suzuki, etc. came to U.S. With plus-plus speed, Kim will be a good guy batting 9th in the order ahead of Ohtani, Betts, and Freeman. I am all in on a trade for Arenado for Lux and others.
Well, if they trade for Arenado, they should insist that St Louis take Taylor. Shouldn’t have to give up much if we are willing to take on Arenado’s contract.
If they would take Taylor’s contract – including $4M buyout of 2026 option — include a pitcher like Michael Grove. Then trade Lux to Yankees or Mariners and play ball.