This season, Dodgers outfielders have a combined.201 batting average, tied with the Kansas City Royals for worst in Major League Baseball. This season, the Dodgers’ outfielders have produced a combined 0.7 fWAR, ranking in the bottom ten in MLB. This season, the Dodgers’ outfielders had a total WRC+ of 78, ranking 26th in the MLB.
The benefits in those figures are primarily due to free agent signing Teoscar Hernández, who is slashing.246/.313/.462 with 11 home runs, 37 RBI, and an OPS of.775. He has given the Dodgers 1.2 fWAR.
So without Hernández, the Dodgers’ outfielders have a collective fWAR of -0.5. This includes James Outman, Chris Taylor, Andy Pages, Kiké Hernández, Jason Heyward, Miguel Vargas, and Taylor Trammell.
Outman was recently demoted to Triple-A, and Taylor is hitting.097, Pages is experiencing his first MLB slump, and Hernández, Heyward, and Vargas are all platoon guys.
The Dodgers certainly need an outfielder, and Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain had an intriguing suggestion on Thursday’s Dodgers Dougout live program.
McKain highlighted five outfielder possibilities, including Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Connor Joe, who has received little attention.
Joe, 31, is cutting.This season, he batted 268/.337/.446 with six home runs, 22 RBIs, and an OPS of.783. The five-year MLB veteran can play both corner outfield positions, but at a below-average level.
Joe can hit both right- and left-handed pitching and has an above-average OPS+ and WRC+ of 125 and 123, respectively.
Joe is also under many years of team control, since he does not reach free agency until 2028 and has two option years remaining.
Most significantly, Joe would not be too expensive — L.A. would not have to deal a top-10 prospect — and would develop into a strong daily player in a Dodgers outfield that requires all the assistance it can get.
Interestingly, Joe spent two seasons with the Dodgers organization. He was transferred to the Dodgers for international bonus pool money and selected in the Rule 5 Draft two years later.
To see McKain’s complete evaluation of Joe and why he might be a good fit for the Dodgers, click the video at the top of the post or here.
