Dodgers Rumors: LA Reportedly Interested in Free Agent Centerfielder to Replace Bellinger
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With Cody Bellinger non-tendered, the Dodgers find themselves with an opening in center field. While they've shown interest in bringing Bellinger back and also have internal options such as Chris Taylor, Trayce Thompson, and James Outman, they could look outside the organization for Bellinger's replacement.
If they go for outside help, there's one intriguing name on the free-agent market.
Kevin Kiermaier has spent his entire 10-year career with Tampa Bay, but the Rays declined their team option on the three-time Gold Glove winner last week. Kiermaier was once the premier defensive center-fielder in baseball, but his defensive numbers were down across the board in 2022, with career worsts in defensive runs saved, outs above average, UZR/150, and defensive WAR.
Kiermaier will be 33 in April, and it's understandable to think his defense won't return to its former glory as he ages, but his 2022 season was hampered by a hip injury that eventually required a season-ending surgery in August. By all accounts his surgery went well, so he could be back to his elite roaming of the outfield next year.
The bigger issue with Kiermaier is that he's never been much of a hitter. His career OPS+ is 98, so he's just below average offensively. That's plenty valuable if you're providing Gold Glove defense, and if he was sandwiched by, say, Mookie Betts in right field and Aaron Judge in left field, you'd absolutely take elite defense and average offense in center field. And, of course, it's worth noting that league-average offense in center field would be a huge step up from what L.A. got from Bellinger the last two years.
Kiermaier has had 500 plate appearances in a season just once in his 10 years, so he's not someone any team will count on to be an everyday center-fielder. But he could be a fit for the Dodgers in the right situation.
