Here's a look at the Dodgers' internal outfield options
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There remains a strong possibility of a reunion between Teoscar Hern¨¢ndez 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. Hern¨¢ndez 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.
Bench: Andy Pages, James Outman, Chris Taylor
Like in recent years, Taylor probably won't be a lineup regular, and he'll play wherever he's needed. Pages and Outman are options with upside, but neither has proven to be an everyday player. They'll probably get most of their opportunities in left or right field, but general manager Brandon Gomes didn't rule out them getting reps in center field just because Edman is there.
"Potentially James, Andy, them going out and getting a look [in center] at some point is really helpful," Gomes said at the Winter Meetings. "Going out and competing for a spot. They've obviously played well in the past and shown they can handle the big leagues and our level of play."
After posting an .898 OPS in the final 28 games of his rookie year, Pages has likely earned a longer look in 2025. He started 76 games in center field in his age-23 season but profiles better in a corner -- and had striking platoon splits (.916 OPS vs. lefties, .647 vs. righties). Outman was recognized for a strong 2023 campaign with a third-place finish in NL Rookie of the Year voting, but he couldn't return to that level of production in '24 and spent much of the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Bonus: Dalton Rushing
Rushing is not on the 40-man roster -- but he gets a mention because he should be ready to contribute to the big league club in 2025.
With Will Smith under contract through 2033, the Dodgers began getting Rushing, a catcher and their top prospect, reps in left field midway through last season. MLB Pipeline's No. 39 overall prospect has the potential to become the impact bat the team needs; Rushing has hit at every level of the Minors with plenty of raw power from the left-hand side.
While Rushing¡¯s first foray in the outfield was encouraging, the Dodgers ultimately want him to focus on progressing as a catcher, with enough outfield playing time mixed in so that he'll be ready to go if that's where he's needed.
"We're fortunate enough that he's a good enough athlete that he can kick to left, he can kick to first if needed. We can continue to see how that plays out," Gomes said. "But the focus is always: How is he progressing as a catcher? And the rest of it will kind of be secondary, and then the bat -- if he continues to hit, then we find ways to get him onto the team, into the lineup at some point down the road."