Among the group of Los Angeles Dodgers free agents this offseason, Teoscar Hernández, Jack Flaherty, Blake Treinen and Kiké Hernández each publicly expressed a desire to remain with the team.
Clayton Kershaw took out the guess work with his status by declaring he would re-sign with the Dodgers at some point. Treinen was brought back on a two-year, $22 million contract.
Meanwhile, Teoscar Hernández’s market seemingly was delayed as the Dodgers and several other teams awaited Juan Soto’s decision. The Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees have since pivoted to Hernández after Soto agreed to a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets.
Despite mutual interest between Hernández and the Dodgers, president of operations Andrew Friedman raised caution over the likelihood of re-signing the 32-year-old while also expressing some optimism, per David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports Radio:
Andrew Friedman said he was "Hopeful" to resign Teoscar Herandez, but also added "At the same time if he decides to sign somewhere else we have no other choice to wish him well." #Dodgers #WinterMeetings
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) December 10, 2024
When previously discussing Dodgers free agents in general terms, Friedman said the team was having “honest” conversations with players and allowing them to explore the market.
Hernández is said to be intrigued by playing in Fenway Park and for Red Sox manager Alex Cora. Boston was among the teams that heavily pursued Hernández last offseason.
He rejected overtures from other clubs, including multi-year contracts, to sign a one-year deal with the Dodgers. That paid off in spades for both sides as Hernández became a right-handed force in the Dodgers lineup and leader in the clubhouse while helping lead the team to a World Series championship.
Potential Teoscar Hernández contract
Given there are multiple big-market teams that missed out on Soto, the assumption is Hernández’s camp is aiming to utilize some leverage into a contract of at least four years in length.
That could prove to be a line the Dodgers aren’t willing to extend themselves to given some of his offensive profile concerns and limited defensive ability.
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