The last time Teoscar Hernández gazed out at the crowd at Dodger Stadium, the veteran outfielder almost broke down crying.
“I just want to say thank you,” Hernández said during the Dodgers’ World Series celebration at Chavez Ravine last Friday, having played a crucial role in the club’s first full-season championship since 1988.
Hernández then stopped, getting choked up with emotion. Before him, more than 40,000 fans began roaring in appreciation.
“I play this game to win,” Hernández continued, the serenading from the stands amplifying with every word. “And the Dodgers gave me the opportunity to come here, so I could help this organization, this team, these people, this city, win a championship. You guys made this dream come true. Thank you for making me a world champion.”
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If not for Hernández, the Dodgers might not have had a championship to celebrate.
After signing a one-year, $23.5-million contract last offseason, he became one of the most important pieces in the Dodgers’ indomitable lineup, racking up 33 home runs and 99 RBIs in the regular season, plus a number of key hits — including his score-tying, two-run double in Game 5 of the World Series — during their postseason run to a title.
A week later, Hernández is back on the free-agent market, where he will be a more coveted commodity than last winter following his resurgent performance. And as the Dodgers evaluate their plans for this winter, whether or not they retain him could be a key determinant to the entire offseason.
As general manager Brandon Gomes acknowledged Wednesday, the club’s biggest focus on offense this winter is bolstering the outfield. That was true even before Gomes announced that right fielder Mookie Betts likely will move back to the infield next year. Now, it’s a glaring need with few obvious solutions.
The Dodgers don’t have an established everyday outfielder on their roster, with only platoon bats such as Andy Pages, Chris Taylor and James Outman under club control for next season.
The team could shift utility man Tommy Edman, who received most of his playing time this October at shortstop, to an everyday role in center field. The Dodgers’ top prospect, catcher Dalton Rushing, also can provide…