Dodgers could part ways with All-Star to afford slugging shortstop

The Los Angeles Dodgers spent big to sign Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow last offseason. They won't be able to spend as much this winter.

In addition to Ohtani, Yamamoto and Glasnow, the Dodgers signed Teoscar Hernández. When predicting where free agents will land in 2024, Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller outlined a scenario where the Dodgers part ways with Hernández in order to sign Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Willy Adames.

"The Dodgers will likely try to re-up with Teoscar Hernández—unless it's a 'we can afford one or the other' situation between him and Brewers SS Willy Adames, and they prioritize their middle infield in that regard," wrote Miller.

Hernández signed with the Dodgers on a one-year, $23 million deal. Spotrac projects him to earn a three-year, $71 million deal in free agency. Adames is projected to earn a six-year, $152 million contract, but the reality might be even pricier.

Hernámdez was named an All-Star in 2024 and even won the Home Run Derby. He has been a key piece in the Dodgers success, but the middle infield seems to need a lot more work. The Dodgers started the year with Mookie Betts at shortstop, but he has since moved back to right field.

Adames had a career year with 32 home runs, 112 RBIs and 21 stolen bases. Brewers owner Mark Attanasio told reporters that the Brewers will try to sign Adames, but other teams have deeper pockets.

"I think the free-agent contract is going to be very valuable for him and quite high," Attanasio told reporters. "We'll do what we can to stretch, but others have bigger pocketbooks and, we'll see what happens."

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