The MLB Winter Meetings concluded in Dallas with Teoscar Hernández still among the group of Los Angeles Dodgers free agents.
Hernández has received interest from several teams, but many of whom were also involved in the Juan Soto sweepstakes. Those came to an end with Soto signing a record-breaking contract with the New York Mets.
An expectation that Hernández’s decision would quickly come after Soto was no longer available hasn’t materialized. It’s led to plenty of consternation over whether or not he’d return to the Dodgers despite there being mutual interest.
When asked on “Foul Territory” about the Dodgers potentially trading for Brent Rooker and Nolan Arenado, Ken Rosenthal ruled out those possibilities and expressed confidence Hernández will re-sign:
“First of all, Rooker is not getting traded. David Forst, the A’s GM, has been very clear about that. As for Arenado, that is not a path I foresee the Dodgers going down. You’ve got Max Muncy to play third base. They can solve the need for another right-handed bat in that lineup another way, and it’s in the outfield.
“I fully expect Teo to be back there. I know we’re going through the machinations of free agency and the leverage plays by both sides. It’s typical stuff, but I still expect at the end of the day, he’s going to be a Los Angeles Dodger. And the signing of Conforto, who’s a left-handed hitter, doesn’t really affect that at all.”
In the time leading up to the Winter Meetings, it was reported the Dodgers and Hernández neared an agreement. However, that was prior to Soto’s decision, and it’s presumed his lucrative deal is now serving as leverage of some sort.
The Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and Dodgers were finalists for Soto, and each have interest in Hernández as well.
The 32-year-old is coming off a second career All-Star season in which he also became the Dodgers’ first Home Run Derby winner in franchise history.
Hernández endeared himself in the clubhouse, with the fanbase, and has been vocal about a desire to remain with the Dodgers moving forward. Even as the front office seemingly has contract terms they wish not to exceed, the Dodgers do have a need not only in their outfield but the type of right-handed bat that Hernández provides.
Dave Roberts wants Dodgers to re-sign Teoscar Hernández
When asked about Hernández during his media availability at the Winter Meetings, manager Dave Roberts made it clear he’s hopeful to have the outfielder back with the team.
“It would be tough,” 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.”
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