The Los Angeles Dodgers are all in on winning another World Series ring in 2026, and to do this, they are going to have to fix the hole they have in the outfield. For a talented team, their corner outfielders underperformed both offensively and defensively last year. Fortunately, the farm system is full of great outfielders, but they are still young. They recently added Ryan Ward to the 40-man roster. He tore up the Pacific Coast League with his bat last year and was scheduled to become a free agent. Problem solved? The free-agent rumblings suggest, “No.” Now, Senior Editor of Baseball America Josh Norris confirmed it in an interview with Dodgers Territory.
Insider: Dodgers Outfield Likely to Be Filled Externally
“They’re going to trade somebody here for something, or they will sign somebody to fit in the outfield long term.”
Josh Norris does not expect all three of the Dodgers top outfield prospects Josue De Paula, Zyhir Hope, and Eduardo Quintero to become part of the team’s long-term… pic.twitter.com/4rNKzwpG1p
— Dodgers Territory (@LADTerritory) November 21, 2025
The Young Guns
Josue De Paula and Zyhir Hope got a spring training invite before the 2025 season, and they both got people’s attention before being optioned. The outfielders ended the year at the Double-A level. De Paula is equipped with impressive power and incredible knowledge of the strike zone. Norris compares him to former Dodgers prospect Yordan Alvarez, who has had an incredible offensive career with the Houston Astros.
As for Hope, he is a better defender in the outfield. He was one of the last players optioned before Opening Day last year.
The Youngest of the Bunch
Eduardo Quintero was named one of the Dodgers Minor League Prospects of the Year by MLB Pipeline. He is known for having a high baseball I.Q., plays a beautiful outfield, and has a great arm, according to his coaches.
What the Future Looks Like
Josh Norris says that the solution to the outfield may be to trade one of these budding stars away. It is the cost of doing business. He says that De Paula is the closest to being major-league ready. If there is a season in 2027, that is.
As baseball fans, hope springs eternal.
Main Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
