With Juan Soto reportedly heading to the New York Mets on a record-setting contract, Teoscar Hernández could be the next domino to fall among free agency outfielders.
Hernández is coming off a career year with the Los Angeles Dodgers and has stated his desire to return to the team. However, a recent report suggested the two sides are far apart in negotiations.
The 32-year-old has drawn interest from other teams as well and no longer appears to be a lock to re-sign with the Dodgers.
“It would be tough,” manager Dave Roberts said of the team potentially having to replace Hernández. “Obviously I’m a huge fan of Teo. We have a great relationship. His words, he loved everything about being a Dodger, and I’m always going to be a Teo fan.
“There’s not a whole lot of guys that can start 157, 158 ballgames and post and then to be that productive. Then you layer on being in a big market, helping us win a championship. So those players don’t come around very often.
“But obviously Teo has put himself in a very good position as a free agent and had a very productive year. So he’s got some decisions to make as well. He’s going to kind of suss those out. It would be hard for me not to see him coming back.”
Should the Dodgers not re-sign Hernández, it would create a significant void in their outfield. The club did add Michael Conforto to the mix, but he is considered more of a complementary piece and won’t fully replace Hernández’s production.
Aside from Conforto, Andy Pages, Chris Taylor and James Outman are the only other true outfielders presently on the Dodgers roster. Free agency could lead the team to explore signing other options such as Anthony Santander or Jurickson Profar.
Teoscar Hernández intrigued by Red Sox
With the Boston Red Sox missing out on Soto and losing Tyler O’Neill in free agency, they could make a stronger push to sign Hernández.
Hernández may be open to that possibility as he is reportedly intrigued by the idea of playing at Fenway Park under Red Sox manager Alex Cora.
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