Dodgers could address center field by stealing non-Cody Bellinger option from Yankees

The Dodgers' outfield needs some work this offseason. Michael Conforto is leaving in free agency (to which fans say "good riddance") and Teoscar Hernández shouldn't be playing right field. If the Dodgers can get Kyle Tucker — and they're already widely expected to pursue him heavily — the logical conclusion would be putting Hernández in left, Andy Pages in center, and Tucker in right.

The offseason is long and still wide open, and the Dodgers might not get Tucker, but there are other and cheaper options available on the free agent market.

Former Dodger Cody Bellinger is one of them, having opted out of his deal with the Yankees on Monday, but a reunion does seem a little unlikely given the non-tendering ugliness in 2022. However, the Dodgers could look to another now-former Yankees outfielder and former Padre, Trent Grisham, who just had the best offensive season of his career in the Bronx and will be cheaper than either Tucker or Bellinger.

We won't pretend that money is a real consideration for the Dodgers, who are better equipped than any other team to pay Tucker the $400+ million he might make, but the competition is going to be fierce and the Dodgers should have backup plans.

Dodgers could pursue former Yankees, Padres outfielder Trent Grisham if Kyle Tucker pursuit doesn't pan out

Grisham was thrown into the Juan Soto trade to the Yankees and basically ignored during his first season in the Bronx. But then Soto left and Grisham stayed, and he played in 143 games in 2025, batting .235 with a .812 OPS. It should get him a respectable two- or three-year deal in free agency.

He's spent the vast majority of his career innings in center field which, in the hypothetical scenario where the Dodgers sign Grisham, means they would probably move Andy Pages to right field. It'd be a defensive downgrade in center, but an upgrade in right (and an upgrade offensively).

The Dodgers should be wary of potential one-hit-wonders, given that they were bitten by two relievers of that variety in 2025, but they have more leeway than anyone else to just throw money around and see what sticks.

Tucker seems like he's going to be the Dodgers' No. 1 priority this offseason, which is no surprise, but in the event that he gets away from them, Grisham would be a decent option (and come with the nice bonus of getting under Padres' fans' skins) at a cheaper price and shorter commitment.