5 Shocking Reasons Why Teoscar Hernández's Dodgers Future Is In Doubt After World Series Win

The Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly considering a stunning trade of right fielder Teoscar Hernández, a two-time World Series champion with the club, just one year into his lucrative contract. Despite his crucial role in the team's championship run, the power hitter's significant defensive struggles and a downturn in his offensive production during the 2025 regular season have made him a prime candidate to be moved in the current offseason. The news, coming right after a successful World Series victory, signals a ruthless focus on defensive upgrades for the 2026 campaign, with multiple American League teams showing interest in the veteran slugger. The current date is December 15, 2025, and the trade speculation surrounding Hernández is intensifying. His $66 million contract, signed in January 2025, was supposed to solidify the Dodgers' outfield for years, but his 2025 performance has led the front office to aggressively explore options to improve the team's overall defense, a clear priority for manager Dave Roberts and the coaching staff. This article breaks down the five key reasons—from his contract to his advanced metrics—why the Dodgers are prepared to part ways with the postseason hero.

Teoscar Hernández: Full Biography, Career Timeline, and Awards

Teoscar José Hernández, known by his nickname "Mr. Seeds," has built a career on explosive power and high RBI totals. His journey from the Dominican Republic to a World Series champion has been marked by significant milestones and a consistent presence in the middle of the lineup for several major league teams.

• Full Name: Teoscar José Hernández
• Nickname: Mr. Seeds
• Born: October 15, 1992 (Age 33 as of October 2025)
• Birthplace: Cotuí, Sánchez Ramírez, Dominican Republic
• MLB Debut: August 12, 2016
• Position: Outfielder (Right Field)
• Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Career Timeline: Key Teams and Milestones

Hernández’s career spans four teams, starting with the Houston Astros organization.

• 2016–2017: Houston Astros (MLB Debut and early career).
• 2017–2022: Toronto Blue Jays (Breakout years, becoming a premier power hitter).
• 2023: Seattle Mariners (Traded to Seattle, maintained strong offensive production).
• 2024–2025: Los Angeles Dodgers (Signed as a free agent, won two World Series championships).

Major Awards and Honors

Despite the current trade talk, Hernández has a decorated career that highlights his offensive prowess.

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• 2× All-Star (2021, 2024).
• 3× Silver Slugger Award (2020, 2021, and another year).
• 2× World Series Champion (2024, 2025 with the Dodgers).
• 2× All-MLB Second Team (2021, 2024).

The $66 Million Question: Contract Details and 2025 Performance Drop

The core of the trade rumors lies in the discrepancy between Hernández's contract and his 2025 regular season performance. The Dodgers signed the veteran outfielder to a three-year, $66 million contract in January 2025, a significant investment designed to add another potent bat to an already stacked lineup. He is currently heading into the second year of that deal.

His offensive production in 2025, while not poor, was undeniably a step down from his previous elite seasons. Hernández finished the regular season with a slash line of .247/.284/.454, compiling 25 home runs and 89 RBIs in 134 games. His OPS dipped to .738, a noticeable decline from his 2024 production, which had seen him hit 33 homers with a 4.3 WAR. This regression, coupled with the long-term commitment, has put his role under intense scrutiny.

The Dodgers' front office is notorious for its willingness to move players, even high-profile ones, if they believe it improves the team's long-term outlook or addresses a critical weakness. The 2025 season showed that while the power bat is still there, the overall value was not matching the salary, especially when factoring in the defensive side of his game.

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Defensive Nightmare: The Real Catalyst for Trade Rumors

The most compelling reason for the Dodgers' eagerness to trade Hernández is his historically poor defense, which reached a critical point in the 2025 season. In a championship-caliber team that emphasizes all-around play, his defensive metrics were a major liability.

Advanced fielding statistics paint a stark picture of his struggles in the outfield:

• Outs Above Average (OAA): Hernández logged a minus-9 OAA, a metric that ranked him in the third percentile of all major league outfielders.
• Fielding Percentile: His overall fielding was ranked in the 6th percentile, indicating he was one of the worst defensive outfielders in the league.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has often had to manage his lineup to mitigate this defensive risk, sometimes moving Hernández down the batting order in crucial games. With the team focused on optimizing every position for the 2026 season, the opportunity to replace his below-average defense with an elite glove has become a top priority. The club is reportedly looking for a significant upgrade in the corner outfield, a move that would solidify the defense alongside centerfielder Andy Pages.

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Potential Trade Destinations and Outfield Replacements

The trade buzz is loud, and multiple teams, particularly those in the American League, are reportedly interested in acquiring a proven power hitter like Hernández, despite his defensive shortcomings. These teams are likely prioritizing his offensive potential and his track record as a run producer.

Front-Runner Trade Partners

Several teams have been named as potential landing spots for the veteran outfielder, all looking to bolster their offensive production:

• Kansas City Royals: Insiders have named the Royals as a team to watch in a potential deal, as they look to add a big bat to their lineup. The Royals are reportedly willing to take on the defensive risk for the offensive upside.
• St. Louis Cardinals: The Cardinals are often mentioned as a team in need of an impact outfielder, making Hernández an attractive, high-upside target.
• Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Guardians: Both AL teams are also rumored to be in the market for a corner outfielder, potentially losing their own stars and creating a vacancy for a player like Hernández.

Dodgers' Outfield Targets

If the Dodgers successfully trade Hernández, they will immediately pivot to acquiring a defensive upgrade. The team has been linked to several high-profile outfielders who could provide a better defensive profile and a comparable or better offensive output. Potential targets include former Dodgers star Cody Bellinger, who could provide elite defense in center or a corner, or other established players like Harrison Bader, Jarren Duran, or Wilyer Abreu, all of whom are known for their defensive prowess. The goal is to maximize the defensive flexibility of the 2026 roster.

The Postseason Paradox: Why His Value Remains High

The most intriguing aspect of the trade talks is the "Postseason Paradox." While his regular season was a disappointment, Teoscar Hernández was a hero during the Dodgers' 2025 playoff run. His performance in the high-stakes environment of the World Series and the preceding playoff rounds is a major reason why his trade value remains high.

In the 2025 postseason, Hernández was a completely different player. He finished with a strong .257 batting average, crushing 5 home runs, and driving in 13 RBIs across 17 games. This clutch performance, which helped secure the World Series title, reminds interested teams of the elite-level power and run production he is capable of when the pressure is highest.

This history of postseason dominance makes him a valuable commodity for any contending team looking for a veteran presence and an October bat. The Dodgers are banking on a team viewing his 2025 regular season as an anomaly and focusing on his proven ability to deliver in the clutch, thereby maximizing the return they can get in a trade for a much-needed defensive piece.