Teoscar Hernandez or Jaun Soto seems to be the overarching question for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Well, why not get both of them? Let’s make the best use of the whole situation.
With the offseason in full swing, I’m introducing this new section called Dodgers Offseason Rumors Roundup. I will be researching and ensuring that every Dodgers update or rumor gets to you. Without further ado, let’s kick off this inaugural edition.
Dodgers Offseason Rumors Roundup #1
Get Both Hernandez and Soto
So, this year’s argument is between Hernandez and Soto. Yeah. I got the memo. But, why choose between one, when you can have both?
Let’s put this out there right now. Scott Boras, the superagent, cares more about AAV (Average Annual Value). Most guys are free agents when they become 30 years old. Soto’s a different case, being 26 years old right now. Hernandez is 32 years old, meaning he probably has only 3-5 more years left in the league. Who’s the better investment? Soto is, but you don’t know so much about him.
Yes, the Dodgers aren’t willing to chase Soto, and according to new reports, he seems very interested in the Red Sox. But, who won the championship? The Dodgers did. Soto isn’t just pursuing the money but also wants to fill his hand up with rings, and LAD provides the path for that.
Hernandez has been a good club buddy and really stepped up his game when he was needed most. He’s all smiles and really increased the morale of this team. He also stepped up his game for the Dodgers in 2024. Having this guy would keep everyone engaged and upbeat.
Hernandez obviously has an interest in playing for the Dodgers and that’s what you want. Have him sign for a lower contract (tell him that it’s to make the team better), and get Soto on a fat deal, with a $55 million AAV. Or, give Hernandez what he wants, and sign Soto to a 4-5 year deal, with a big AAV ($64 million?). The outfield is becoming more and more inexperienced, especially with Mookie Betts moving back to the infield. We have to get two of them anyway (or save one for Dalton Rushing). Why not go out and get two experienced studs?
Rumors Roundup
- The Dodgers are now, once again, officially linked to Garrett Crochet of the Chicago White Sox. I don’t believe that the White Sox will give up Crochet, in an attempt to try to get more value from him this season. This will skyrocket his value up at the trade deadline, giving the White Sox more prospects. This is entirely dependent on his play, though.
Roki Sasaki Rumors PART 1:
- Obviously, by this point, we’ve all heard about the Japanese phenom, Roki Sasaki. Many say it’s pretty much decided that he’s coming to LAD, especially because of all the Japanese media attention on the Dodgers right now. Plus, Sasaki wants to win championships, cement himself as one of the best pitchers in the MLB, and most importantly, develop under the system. LAD is the perfect place for that, but so is Philadelphia and Houston.
Roki Sasaki Rumors PART 2:
- That leads me to this one, because according to Jim Bowden (who has been known for his not predictive greatness), if he joins the Dodgers, he would be in the shadows of Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, making it hard for himself to cement himself as the best pitcher in the MLB. To pitching development, which the Dodgers are really good at (like I said above), but their whole pitching staff is in tatters, even in the offseason, and have been the leading producers of Tommy John surgery.
- Brusdar Graterol may not return to the bullpen until the second half of the season, because of a right shoulder labrum surgery.
- The Dodgers have not talked with Soto yet, and will not.
- The Dodgers and Max Fried have a mutual interest.
And that’s the end of the first Dodgers Rumors Roundup. I’ll see you next time with even more info, and I’ll diverge deeper and investigate what’s happening around free agency. Right now, it’s pretty embarrassing that the Angels have one less signing than the MLB in total (Angels 3 free agent signings. MLB 4)
Main Image: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
