{"id":112489,"date":"2026-01-20T20:28:16","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T01:28:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=112489"},"modified":"2026-01-20T20:28:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T01:28:16","slug":"offseason-dodgers-news-rumors-roster-construction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/01\/20\/offseason-dodgers-news-rumors-roster-construction\/","title":{"rendered":"Offseason Dodgers News and Rumors: Are They Done Yet?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Los Angeles Dodgers plugged two major roster holes this offseason. They <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/12\/09\/report-dodgers-sign-free-agent-closer-edwin-diaz\/\" target=\"_self\">signed<\/a> closer <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=diazed04,diazed03,diaz--005edw&amp;search=Edwin+D\u00edaz&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Edwin D\u00edaz<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/01\/15\/report-dodgers-sign-all-star-outfielder-kyle-tucker\/\" target=\"_self\">right fielder<\/a> <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/t\/tuckeky01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kyle Tucker<\/a>. Both are the top options at their positions in this free agent class. However, it came as a major surprise to the baseball world. And depending on who you ask, they may not be done with spring training on its way in less than a month. Here is the latest on what might be on the horizon.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_112303\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-112303\" style=\"width: 663px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/01\/USATSI_26916646-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"663\" height=\"442\" class=\" wp-image-112303\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/01\/USATSI_26916646-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/01\/USATSI_26916646-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/01\/USATSI_26916646-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/01\/USATSI_26916646-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/01\/USATSI_26916646-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/01\/USATSI_26916646-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/01\/USATSI_26916646-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 663px) 100vw, 663px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-112303\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Aug 23, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker (30) hits a two-run home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Small sample size, but Kyle Tucker 40 career PA at Dodger Stadium:<\/p>\n<p>.303\/.425\/.606 1.031 OPS<\/p>\n<p>6\/10 career hits for extra bases.<a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Dodgers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Dodgers<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/MLB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#MLB<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/THEREAL_DV\/status\/2012603476732428486?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">January 17, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2>The Latest Dodgers Offseason News and Rumors<\/h2>\n<h3>Not on the Trading Block<\/h3>\n<p>It was reported that outfielder <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hernate01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Teoscar Hern\u00e1ndez<\/a> is not <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/12\/04\/could-dodgers-be-shopping-teoscar-hernandez-trade\/\" target=\"_self\">on the trading block<\/a>. He will be the Dodgers&#8217; left fielder going into 2026. The Dodgers were shopping Hern\u00e1ndez earlier this offseason, and several teams were interested. A fan-favorite since his arrival, he is responsible for some of the biggest hits in recent postseason history, played in right field in 2025. However, he struggled both offensively and defensively last year. Apparently, he was dealing with a <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/05\/06\/dodgers-teoscar-hernandez-james-outman\/\" target=\"_self\">groin injury<\/a> since the beginning of June last season. With <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/01\/16\/do-the-dodgers-need-kyle-tucker\/\" target=\"_self\">the acquisition<\/a> of Kyle Tucker, there was talk that Hern\u00e1ndez is expendable. However, according to David Vassegh of Sportsnet L.A., Hernandez was informed in December that he would not be traded. The butter and egg man is safe, at least, for now.<\/p>\n<h3>On the Bubble<\/h3>\n<p>It is clear that the Dodgers have a 40-man roster crunch with the addition of Tucker. Who are the odd men out? It appears that <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=ward--010rya,ward--009rya,ward--003rya,ward--005rya&amp;search=Ryan+Ward&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ryan Ward<\/a> may be one option. The Pacific Coast League Player of the Year was added to the roster in November. Ward, who has been an offensive force in the minors, seems a likely choice. There were those voices who wanted him to be promoted last year due to <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/confomi01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Michael Conforto<\/a>&#8216;s struggles. However, Ward&#8217;s defense made the Dodgers hesitant to make the move. Ward hit for a .290 batting average and hit 36 home runs in his time at Triple-A Oklahoma City. It appears he will be an offensive force for whoever he plays.<\/p>\n<p>The other name being bandied about is <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/millebo06.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bobby Miller<\/a>. The right-handed starter has some of the best pitching stuff in the Dodgers organization. When he first arrived in the majors, Miller looked like a can&#8217;t-miss prospect. However, as time wore on, he had trouble locating his pitches. It was clear that with his high ERA and penchant for giving up home runs, it wasn&#8217;t going to work in a Dodgers uniform. Of course, multiple injuries haven&#8217;t helped either. Miller might benefit from a fresh start elsewhere.<\/p>\n<h3>A Minor(s) Signing<\/h3>\n<p>Los Angeles added to their pitching depth last week by signing right-hander <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=anderni01,anders005nic&amp;search=Nick+Anderson&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nick Anderson<\/a> to a minor-league deal. The Kansas City Royals released him a couple of weeks ago. Anderson missed all of 2024 with a shoulder injury. However, the right-hander was effective with the Atlanta Braves in 2023. He posted a 3.06 ERA with four wins and one save. Chalk up this move for bullpen depth.<\/p>\n<h3>Is There Fire?<\/h3>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/01\/06\/are-the-dodgers-in-the-mix-for-a-frontline-starter\/\" target=\"_self\">rumors<\/a> aren&#8217;t going away. The Dodgers are still interested in <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/p\/peralfr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Freddy Peralta<\/a>. The superstar roster may be under construction.<\/p>\n<p>For what it&#8217;s worth, there are interesting things to watch in the coming days.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Los Angeles Dodgers plugged two major roster holes this offseason. They signed closer Edwin D\u00edaz and right fielder Kyle Tucker. Both are the top options at their positions in this free agent class. However, it came as a major surprise to the baseball world. And depending on who you ask, they may not be [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5226,"featured_media":99317,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33,1071,35],"tags":[6489,1931,2514,2319,689,2963,29169,1198],"class_list":["post-112489","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dodgers","category-mlb","category-news","tag-bobby-miller","tag-edwin-diaz","tag-freddy-peralta","tag-kyle-tucker","tag-michael-conforto","tag-nick-anderson","tag-ryan-ward","tag-teoscar-hernandez"],"modified_by":"Lewis Masella, Site Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112489","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5226"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=112489"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112489\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":112596,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112489\/revisions\/112596"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/99317"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=112489"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=112489"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=112489"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}