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Kiké Hernandez has been a postseason staple for the Los Angeles Dodgers since 2015, but his time in Dodger blue might be nearing its end after the 2026 campaign. Hernandez, a fan favorite, owns a career OPS of .706, yet his October performances have been remarkable, with an .806 OPS across 10 postseason appearances. He has been instrumental in the franchise's last three championships and six total playoff runs since 2017.
At 35, Hernandez remains a defensive anomaly. He has logged at least 71 games at every infield position except catcher and pitcher—though he does sport an 11.45 ERA in 11 career relief outings—and brings extensive outfield experience as well.
As the Dodgers retool their roster this offseason, Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller envisions a different direction for the utility role. Miller predicts that Los Angeles will sign two-time Gold Glove winner Mauricio Dubon from the Atlanta Braves, effectively replacing Hernandez. Dubon's defensive flexibility mirrors what Hernandez provided off the bench when healthy last season, but it specifically addresses the gap at second base that plagued the team at various points in 2026.
Financially, Hernandez played the 2026 season on a one-year, $4.5 million deal, while Dubon earned $6.1 million to avoid arbitration. Spotrac's market value projection pegs Dubon at around $11.4 million per season, but former general manager and current MLB insider for The Athletic Jim Bowden sees him signing for $8 million annually.
Dubon is coming off arguably his best season, batting .276 with a .719 OPS. He posted a 2.7 bWAR (tied for his career-high) and missed just nine games—a durability that should appeal to a Dodgers team that was hampered by injuries in 2026. Over his eight MLB seasons, Dubon has made at least 18 appearances at every position except pitcher and catcher.
Even if the Dodgers pursue Dubon, a return for Hernandez in 2027 on a team-friendly deal remains possible. However, it appears more likely that Los Angeles will move on from Hernandez as it seeks to get younger this offseason—and Dubon could be the perfect replacement.