MLB free agency again has been slow moving, which is hardly a surprise considering challenges brought on by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and some uncertainty moving forward with the universal designated hitter.
For the Los Angeles Dodgers, each of their notable free agents remains available. The group includes Pedro Baez, Kiké Hernandez, Joc Pederson, Justin Turner and Blake Treinen, among others.
There’s been little reported interest in the likes of Baez, Pederson and Treinen. However, Turner is said to have received interest from the Toronto Blue Jays, and the Minnesota Twins reportedly had their sights on Hernandez.
According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com, the Boston Red Sox have joined the field of teams with interest in signing Hernandez:
The Red Sox have strong interest in free-agent utility player Kiké Hernandez, multiple sources confirmed Saturday afternoon. A deal is not believed to be imminent between the sides but Boston is one of the teams in pursuit of the former Dodger.
The Red Sox have a need at second base, which Hernandez could easily fill. He earned the starting job with the Dodgers heading into the 2019 season but couldn’t maintain his hold on the everyday role.
Hernandez nonetheless has been extremely valuable due to his versatility and career success against left-handed pitching. He memorably hit a game-tying, pinch-hit home run against the Atlanta Braves in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series.
“Game 7 of the NLCS, win or go home. I was ready from first pitch of the game,” Hernandez said after the Dodgers’ dramatic win put them in the World Series for a third time in the past four years. “Mentally prepared, physically ready, envisioning AB situations.
“They had three really good lefties in Matzek, Minter and Will Smith, so I knew my chances of going in the game was taking an AB against those three. Matzek came in the game a little early, so we weren’t willing to take Joc out of the game yet.
“Once Minter came in the game, I was ready to go. I saw him warming up so I started getting going again. I faced him twice before, so I was trying to go back in my memory and remember those ABs. … He made one mistake and I was lucky enough to put a good swing on it.”
Andrew Friedman encourages Dodgers free agents to explore market
Although Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has made it clear he hopes to re-sign some of the teams free agents, he additionally is open about allowing them time to pursue other potential opportunities.
That could be of particular value for Hernandez, as he likely would not have a starting role should he remain with the Dodgers.
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