Dodgers Could Trade Teoscar Hernández This Winter
Dodgers insider Doug McKain says Josue De Paula's September debut makes Hernández expendable.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Baseball
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Dodgers insider Doug McKain said the Dodgers could trade outfielder Teoscar Hernández this winter. The possibility follows Josue De Paula's September 11 debut, which the Dodgers cited as the reason Hernández could be moved.
Why it matters
Hernández is in the final guaranteed year of a three-year, $66 million deal, and De Paula's early performance has opened a path for the team to move him. No offer for Hernández has been reported, so the trade remains a possibility rather than a confirmed move.
De Paula, 21, hit .323/.500/.581 in 42 plate appearances after skipping Triple-A. Hernández, 34, posted a .267/.334/.425 line with 16 home runs in 125 games in 2026, and his contract is worth $66 million over three years.
The players
Teoscar Hernández
Hernández is a 34-year-old Dodgers outfielder whose 2026 season included 16 home runs and whose contract includes a $15 million club option for 2028.
Josue De Paula
De Paula is a 21-year-old prospect who skipped Triple-A to debut with the Dodgers and is expected to compete for playing time in left field.
The details
Josue De Paula debuted for the Dodgers on September 11 without playing at Triple-A and was optioned back to the minors on September 23. Doug McKain argued De Paula's showing is the biggest reason the Dodgers can trade Hernández, and De Paula is expected to play left field, the only clear outfield spot with Shohei Ohtani at designated hitter.
Timeline
September 11, 2026: Josue De Paula debuts for the Dodgers.
September 23, 2026: The Dodgers option De Paula back to the minors.
Winter 2026-27: Possible trade of Teoscar Hernández.
Season Trajectory
The Dodgers were eliminated in the NLCS by the Milwaukee Brewers, and the team's offseason now centers on whether younger players like De Paula can replace veterans. The move would reflect how the club is balancing its aging roster against its farm pipeline.
If Hernández is traded, the Dodgers would need an outfield plan that relies on De Paula or another player. Fantasy managers tracking Hernández's 16 home runs and .267 average should monitor any trade news this winter.
The takeaway
The Dodgers' decision on Hernández shows how a strong debut from a young player can change a veteran's value. Watch the winter for any offer that would reshape the outfield.
Further reading
For more on the team's roster moves, see Baseball coverage in Los Angeles.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sportskeeda.
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