Dodgers' best offseason move might've been their most familiar addition

Every year, the Los Angeles Dodgers are one of the most active teams in all of Major League Baseball when it comes to making offseason moves.

The Dodgers spend big money for marquee players on a regular basis. They also have a deep prospect pool and they are not afraid to tap into the farm system to swing a big trade.

When it comes to the Dodgers, the rich are always getting richer. Even after winning the World Series in 2024, the Dodgers made some big moves in the offseason to get even better.

Los Angeles shored up their bullpen by spending big on Kirby Yates (one-year, $13 million) and Tanner Scott (four-year, $72 million) over the winter. They also dished out $182 million to starting pitcher Blake Snell and made a splash in the international market with the additions of highly-touted pitcher Roki Sasaki and infielder Hyeseong Kim.

But somehow, the best move the Dodgers made this past offseason was their most familiar one. Bringing back Teoscar Hernández is proving to be a massive win.

Teoscar Hernández is having another career year for the Dodgers

The Dodgers first got Hernández when they signed him to a one-year contract worth $23.5 million before the 2024 season.

Hernández was worth every penny and put together one of the best seasons of his career. He slugged 33 home runs, tied a career-high with 12 stolen bases, posted 99 RBI, won the Silver Slugger Award, and made the All-Star Game for the second time in his career.

With Max Muncy and Mookie Betts both missing some time throughout the season, Freddie Freeman’s power numbers taking a dip, and players like James Outman not living up to expectations, Hernández was an invaluable addition to the Dodger lineup.

Hernández also drove in a pair of runs in the clinching Game 5 of the World Series. His two-run double tied the game in the fifth inning and the Dodgers would go on to win 7-6.

The organization showed their appreciation by signing him back in the offseason on a three-year, $66 million contract.

So far this season, Hernández is batting .303 with 10 home runs, 42 RBI, and an OPS of .908.

He has the highest OPS+ of his career right now (153) and is on his way to being selected for his second consecutive All-Star Game. Since April 20th, Hernández has five home runs and a .354 batting average.

Hernández might be 32 years old, but he’s playing the best baseball of his life with the Dodgers. I think it’s well within reason to expect him to keep hitting over the next few seasons and fully live up to his contract.

With Hernández, Betts, Ohtani, Smith and Freeman not going anywhere, the Dodgers are stacked up to build a dynasty.