Dodgers stunningly lengthen lineup with Teoscar Hernández on 'prove it' deal

The Dodgers' train just keeps on rolling. The offseason's top spenders by a very, very wide margin (even when you take Shohei Ohtani's contract out of the equation), LA has added a new designated hitter, two rotation pieces, and now, a much needed outfielder.

Per Jeff Passan, the Dodgers have signed former Mariner Teoscar Hernández to a one-year, $23.5 million deal. He'll join Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow as just one of the team's biggest free agent market wins of the offseason.

Dodgers stunningly lengthen lineup with Teoscar Hernández on 'prove it' deal

Hernández — an All-Star, two-time MVP vote getter, two-time Silver Slugger, and the best outfielder still available on the free agent market behind Cody Bellinger — will join a Dodgers outfield that has also been strengthened this offseason by its re-signing of Jason Heyward and trade for Manuel Margot from the Rays. The Dodgers were reportedly facing competition for Hernández from the Boston Red Sox, but unlike the Red Sox, the Dodgers have no qualms about spending money.

Even with Heyward and Margot, Chris Taylor was previously the team's best option in left, which is most likely where Hernández will come in. Although Taylor and Hernández had comparable bats last year, Hernández has a far higher ceiling, even after a down year. Now, the Dodgers' attention can turn more fully toward the rotation, which still needs at least one starter to make up for injury-related losses in 2022 and 2023.

Earlier on Sunday, Andrew Friedman told Jim Bowden on MLB Network Radio that he was targeting a right-handed outfielder who could hit for power and mash lefties. Hours later, Hernández was secured, just a few weeks after the public was assured he demanded a multi-year deal and would likely go to whichever team was willing to guarantee four years. Nope. One year, with $8.5 million of deferrals. THAT is the Ohtani Effect.