The Los Angeles Dodgers addressed their need for a right-handed hitting outfielder with the reported signing of Teoscar Hernández to a one-year, $23.5 million contract.
The 31-year-old projects to be the Dodgers’ starting left fielder next season, giving them some power and stability to an outfield group with questions. The deal also allows Jason Heyward and Manuel Margot or Chris Taylor to platoon in right field and Mookie Betts to play second base on a regular basis.
According to Jack Harris and Jorge Castillo of the L.A. Times, the Dodgers first expressed interest in Hernández during the general manager meetings in November:
The Dodgers’ pursuit of Hernández began during November’s general manager meetings, when the club first signaled a serious interest in the Dominican Republic native.
Prior to reaching an agreement to sign Hernández, the Dodgers had been linked to the likes of Kiké Hernández, Tommy Pham and Max Kepler, among others, in their search for another outfielder.
Harris and Castillo reported that the team also met with Lourdes Gurriel Jr. before they signed Shohei Ohtani to a record-setting contract:
According to one person with knowledge of the situation, the team had a meeting with Lourdes Gurriel Jr. shortly before Ohtani’s signing.
Gurriel has since re-signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks on a three-year, $42 million contract. The 30-year-old is coming off an All-Star season that saw him hit .261/.309/.463 with 35 doubles, 24 home runs and 82 RBI in 145 games.
Gurriel and Hernández have similar offensive profiles, but the latter is more prone to striking out and draws fewer walks. Of course, the Dodgers were able to sign Hernández to a team-friendly contract, so they could potentially get more value out of him.
Teoscar Hernández’s contract with Dodgers includes incentives
Hernández’s contract with the Dodgers reportedly has incentives based on his placement for a Silver Slugger Award and MVP voting.
Hernández previously won a Silver Slugger Award in back-to-back seasons from 2020-2021, and also placed 11th in American League MVP voting during the 2020 campaign.
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