Earlier than the offseason we mentioned the Dodgers' potential pursuit of Tesocar Hernández, and the way it was tied to the potential departure of JD Martínez and the arrival of Shohei Ohtani, each of which got here to fruition.
Because the offense was loaded in 2023, the entrance workplace went there and bought main items. With that in thoughts, it's pretty much as good a time as any to venture the largest winners and losers, so far as the present lineup is worried, by evaluating the gamers who may see a diminished function since Hernández's arrival.
To begin with, in a really crude train in attempting to determine what this lineup will seem like, right here's a fundamental thought of the Dodgers offense in 2024:
Mookie Betts 2B
Freddie Freeman 1B
Shohei Ohtani DH
Will Smith C
Max Muncy 3B
Teoscar Hernández LF
James Outman CF
Jason Heyward / Chris Taylor / Manuel Margot RF
Gavin Lux/Miguel Rojas SS
The primary takeaway to be made right here, and it's an apparent one, however though he was introduced in primarily for his means to maul lefties, his total document signifies that Teoscar Hernández performs primarily day by day. And that may take fairly just a few at-bats away from a number of the present group.
As if final season's developments, or even when Dave Roberts' assertion on the winter conferences weren't sufficient, signing Hernández makes it a lot clearer that Betts will likely be fairly near an on a regular basis second baseman in 2024 .
Understanding these two issues, it's laborious to flee the truth that Chris Taylor may be the odd man out right here.
Taylor's flexibility ensures that over the course of a whole season, he's all the time prone to get chunk of labor, with the ability to be the following participant at nearly any place of want. Nevertheless, with a wholesome roster, the veteran utility man is left to battle with Manuel Margot for the function of the brilliant aspect of a platoon with Jason Heyward in proper subject.
Taylor has the sting over Margot as a hitter. Nevertheless, the latter has proven significantly better numbers away from Tampa (.770+ OPS in every of the final two years), and we've seen different hitters (Willy Adames) discover extra success leaving Tropicana Area.
Margot can be the highest choice on protection, and that is extra important, understanding the lack of Betts' world work in proper subject.
It’s greater than believable to foretell that one of many choices will get probably the most appears to be like towards southpaws. Nevertheless, so long as Heyward maintains something near the hitting streak he had final 12 months (along with his excellent defensive work), each Margot and Taylor are left to battle for a small variety of at-bats.
Along with a diminished function for Taylor, the signing of Hernández mainly closes the door to a return for David Peralta and Kiké Hernandez, each of whom, even at their present phases, will demand and obtain greater roles elsewhere, even after the surgical procedure of the elbow for Peralta in October.
Is it unimaginable for one among them to come back again? Most likely not, nevertheless it was a serious trade-off with no assurances of constant hitting.
There are extenuating circumstances that find yourself enjoying a task in each season. Nearly any damage to a non-catcher bumps Taylor into the next function. Even when Freddie Freeman misses a while, the crew may simply transfer Muncy to first, and who’s there as one of many major choices with third base expertise, if not Taylor?
Let's additionally assume that Gavin Lux will choose up proper the place he left off, and in case the teen fights again from a serious damage, Taylor may nonetheless see time on the intersection. his numbers over the previous two seasons, it is sensible that the Dodgers would keep away from counting on Taylor as a daily starter, however even with the present lineup, he stays a useful piece with all that versatility.
Hernández's signing will give the Dodgers 12 place gamers beneath contract in 2024, along with James Outman coming off a stellar rookie season. It's a full place for the energetic roster, making Miguel Vargas the odd man out for now, although Vargas may play his manner into a serious league function with a powerful efficiency in Triple-A. Michael Busch was additionally in that place earlier than he was traded to the Cubs on Thursday.
Yet one more word earlier than we wrap issues up. Hernández has traditionally performed principally proper subject, however given the symmetrical dimensions of Dodger Stadium, I may see him shifting to left, permitting Heyward to keep up his consolation degree and elite work in proper
In any case, it doesn’t matter a lot the place the nook of the sector Hernández will fill. The previous Mariner got here for what he can do with the bat in his arms.
