Here’s a look at the Dodgers’ internal outfield options
There remains a strong possibility of a reunion between Teoscar Hernández and the Dodgers, but the team’s outfield group has promise as is.
With longtime right fielder Mookie Betts slated to return to shortstop in 2025, the Dodgers would benefit from adding another impact outfield bat who could slot into the lineup every day. Hernández has repeatedly expressed his desire to return to Los Angeles, but the demand for him is greater with Juan Soto off the market. If the Dodgers end up being outbid, they could consider turning to their in-house options.
Here’s a look at the outfielders on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster, from the likely fixtures to the reserves who could play themselves into a bigger role:
Starters: Tommy Edman, Michael Conforto
Edman is in the picture for the long run, as the Dodgers signed the 2024 NL Championship Series MVP to a five-year, $74 million extension with a club option for ’30. While the switch-hitter brings positional versatility to the table — he’s a strong option at shortstop and second base, where he won a Gold Glove Award in 2021 — Betts’ move means Edman will see most of his playing time in center field.
It’s unlikely that the Dodgers would commit $17 million to Conforto for the veteran to serve as a backup, and it sounds like the expectation is he will be a regular in a corner-outfield spot. Conforto was solid in his past two seasons with the Giants, but there’s reason to believe there’s more in the tank, especially because he’ll no longer play his home games at Oracle Park.
President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman described Conforto as a “floor-raiser with ceiling.” If Conforto brings the same kind of pop to the lineup that he did in 2024 — he hit 20 homers, 17 of which came on the road — he could be looked at as an under-the-radar impact signing down the line.