Shortly after the World Series ended, the Los Angeles Dodgers extended Teoscar Hernández the one-year, $21.05 million qualifying offer for the 2025 season.
The veteran outfielder was one of 13 MLB players to receive the offer and had until 1 p.m. PT on Tuesday to accept or reject it.
If Hernández took the qualifying offer, he would have skipped free agency and returned to the Dodgers under the aforementioned terms for the 2025 season.
However, that was never a realistic possibility and Hernández has rejected the Dodgers’ qualifying offer with Nick Martinez the only free agent who accepted the one-year pact for 2025, via Mark Feinsand of MLB.com
Nick Martinez is the only player that will accept the qualifying offer this year, per source.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) November 19, 2024
Hernández bet on himself by signing a one-year contract with the Dodgers last offseason and now is in line to receive a much bigger deal this time around.
The 32-year-old batted .272/.339/.501 with 32 doubles, a career-high 33 home runs and 99 RBI in 154 games during the 2024 season. He continued swinging a hot bat in the World Series and was key to the Dodgers eliminating the New York Yankees in five games.
Hernández’s .840 on-base plus slugging percentage was his highest mark since 2021, when he posted an .870 mark in his only other All-Star season.
Hernández has already garnered interest from several teams, including the Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox, but his top priority is working out a new deal with the Dodgers.
What’s next for Teoscar Hernández?
Even though he has declined the qualifying offer, Hernández can still re-sign with Dodgers under different terms.
If Hernández signs with another team, the Dodgers will receive a pick after the fourth round of the 2025 MLB Draft as a result of exceeding the luxury tax threshold this year.
L.A. is believed to want to bring back Hernández as well, so it would come as no surprise if the two sides are able to continue their relationship going forward.
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