The Kansas City Royals are coming off a season in which they missed the MLB Playoffs. However, there is still something to look forward to heading into 2026. On Wednesday, the Royals lost veteran outfielder Mike Yastrzemski to the Atlanta Braves in free agency.
“Outfielder Mike Yastrzemski and the Atlanta Braves agreed Wednesday to a $23 million, two-year contract that includes a 2028 club option with the potential to make the deal worth $26 million over three seasons. The 35-year-old hit .233 with 17 home runs and 46 RBIs in 146 games last season for San Francisco and Kansas City,” ESPN wrote.
Even though they missed out on Yastrzemski, the Royals could still make a splash. One name now surfacing at the winter meetings is two-time World Series champion Teoscar Hernández.
“Kansas City missed out on bringing back Mike Yastrzemski, but the club might have its sights set on a bigger prize. Katie Woo and Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic report the Royals are interested in Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez,” MLB Trade Rumors’ Charlie Wright wrote.
Hernández is now on the trade block after winning another World Series with the Dodgers, a move that comes as a surprise but one Los Angeles may be open to.
“An interesting possibility has surfaced for the two-time defending World Series champion Dodgers: A trade of right fielder Teoscar Hernández,” The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal wrote. “Hernández’s name is coming up in trade conversations, according to league sources. The Dodgers view a deal as unlikely, but the idea of it, at least, is not without logic. While Hernández has hit eight home runs with a combined .780 OPS the past two postseasons, he is also a big reason the Dodgers’ outfield defense ranked only 18th in Outs Above Average during the regular season.”
The Royals are in desperate need of an outfielder, and if the Dodgers manage to sign Kyle Tucker, there would be little reason for them to keep Hernández. If Kansas City offers the right package, Los Angeles may have no choice but to consider it.
Hernández brings a strong bat, but his defense remains inconsistent. Signing Tucker would be a clear upgrade for the Dodgers, while Hernández fits the exact profile of the outfielder the Royals are hoping to add.
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