While the Los Angeles Dodgers added Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow in what has been a wildly successful offseason, they still have other roster needs to address.
The team has been in search of a right-handed hitting outfielder and reportedly reached an agreement with Teoscar Hernández on a one-year, $23.5 million contract.
The Dodgers had been linked to Hernández since the start of offseason and emerged as a favorite to sign him in recent days. The 31-year-old was projected to sign a multi-year contract, but settled for a short-term deal so he could test free agency again after the 2024 season.
According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Hernández’s contract with the Dodgers has incentives based on his placement for a Silver Slugger Award and MVP voting:
Incentives in Teoscar Hernández's Dodgers deal, per source:
– $1 million if he wins Silver Slugger
– $500k if he finishes 11th-15th in MVP voting
– $2 million if he finishes 6th-10th in MVP voting
– $3 million if he finishes 1st-5th in MVP voting— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) January 8, 2024
Hernández previously won a Silver Slugger Award in 2020 and 2021 while with the Toronto Blue Jays. He also placed 11th in American League MVP voting during the 2020 season.
Hernández is coming off a down season with the Seattle Mariners, but still managed to bat .258/.305/.435 with 29 doubles, 26 home runs, 93 RBI, a 106 OPS+, .317 wOBA and 105 wRC+ over 160 games.
The veteran outfielder excelled against left-handed pitching as he hit .287/.307/.511 with 11 doubles, seven home runs and 27 RBI in 150 plate appearances.
Hernández had three consecutive seasons of at least an .807 on-base plus slugging percentage and 130 wRC+ from 2020-2022. In addition to winning a Silver Slugger Award in back-to-back years, the stretch included a selection to the 2021 MLB All-Star Game.
Teoscar Hernández’s role with Dodgers
Hernández will presumably be the Dodgers’ starting left fielder next season, which would allow Jason Heyward and Manuel Margot to platoon in right field, and James Outman receiving the majority of his starts in center field.
Mookie Betts is expected to be the Dodgers’ primary second baseman in 2024.
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