The Los Angeles Dodgers recently added Kyle Tucker to an already star-studded lineup that is fully capable of competing for another World Series championship in 2026. However, the most impactful move the Dodgers didn’t make may end up benefiting one of their rising stars the most: Andy Pages.
Cody Bellinger, who spent the first six seasons of his career with the Dodgers, lingered on the free-agent market for weeks as fans and media speculated about his next destination. Many hoped he would not return to Los Angeles for a second stint. That concern was put to rest when the New York Yankees ultimately reached an agreement on Wednesday to bring Bellinger back to the Bronx. While Bellinger’s return to New York made headlines, the better news for the Dodgers is what it signaled internally: their full confidence in Pages continuing to grow within an already explosive lineup.
There’s no question that adding Bellinger would have made the Dodgers even more formidable. But as the organization looks to build a sustainable dynasty, the smarter long-term decision was avoiding a scenario where Pages would have been pushed to the bench or forced into a position change. Trusting the development of their young talent proved to be the best move.
Signed as an international free agent in 2018, Pages made his MLB debut in 2024. In 116 games that season, he posted a .248 batting average with 23 doubles, one triple, 13 home runs, and 46 RBIs. Defensively, he was reliable in center field, committing just two errors in 224 total chances while recording 219 putouts over 666 innings, good for a .991 fielding percentage.
Pages took another step forward in 2025, adding significant offensive production to a lineup that arguably didn’t need much help. Over 156 games, he collected 158 hits, including 27 doubles, one triple, 27 home runs, and 86 RBIs, while raising his batting average to .272. His defense took a slight step back, as he committed eight errors in 278 total chances, finishing with a .971 fielding percentage. Still, that came while playing more innings (973) and appearing in more games overall. The tradeoff was worth it, as his offensive growth firmly established him as a core piece of the Dodgers’ future.
That growth was never more evident than on the game’s biggest stage. During the 2025 World Series, Pages delivered one of the defining moments of the Fall Classic, making a game-saving catch in Game 7 that preserved the Dodgers’ chances and kept them alive in a winner-take-all situation. Los Angeles would go on to win the game—and the championship—cementing Pages’ role not just as a rising regular, but as a player capable of delivering under the highest possible pressure. At just 25 years old, Pages is already a World Series champion.
So what lies ahead for Pages in 2026? Simply put: continue to rise. Surrounded by elite talent in what projects to be one of baseball’s most dangerous lineups, Pages doesn’t need to do too much. If he stays relaxed, plays his game, and enjoys the moment, the results should follow. While that’s easier said than done, there is pressure that comes with playing for a championship favorite, but in a lineup this deep, it’s shared rather than isolated. As the Dodgers pursue a three-peat, Pages enters his second full season at age 25 with expectations—but not an overwhelming burden.
