Dodgers Rumors: Targeting These 2 Free Agent Outfielders

The Los Angeles Dodgers have already spent over $1 billion this off-season to upgrade the roster. But they’re not done yet. In addition to being rumoured to be in the running for closer Josh Hader, they’ve got their sights set on adding an outfielder and preferably a right-handed hitter. Two names have come to the surface as Dodger targets:

Dodgers Looking to Add Right-Handed Hitter; Tommy Pham or Teoscar Hernandez Could Join Outfield https://t.co/pRHcIolANW #LADodgers #HereToPlay #LetsGoDodgers pic.twitter.com/ZC6MAxRphh
— Ron Bohning (@RonBohning) January 4, 2024

While the team is pretty much loaded all across the roster, the one tiny issue, if you look hard enough, is that an opposing left-hander only needs to negotiate his way through two fearsome right-handed bats, in Mookie Betts and Will Smith. That’s where Teoscar Hernandez or Tommy Pham could help balance out the attack.

Hernandez doesn’t have the typical bat-to-ball skills that the Dodgers usually look for in a player, having struck out at the second-highest rate in the American League last season with 211 Ks. He did blast 26 homers, his fourth straight full season with 25+ dingers.

Pham, though a few years older than Hernandez, has displayed a solid bat against southpaws. In addition, he obviously considers the Dodgers a prime landing spot, as the former Arizona Diamondback even admitted at one point during the World Seroes that he instructed his agent to try and get him a deal with the Dodgers last off-season. Then, again, at this past season's trade deadline, Pham was hoping that the Dodgers would deal for him before he ended up with the D-Backs.

But after his performance for Arizona down the stretch, and particularly in the playoffs, with his “play like your life is on the line” attitude, perhaps the Dodgers are ready to pull the trigger on finally acquiring him.

Photo: Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY Sports