While Shohei Ohtani has been the clear headliner of MLB free agency this winter, his decision-making process has caused a delay in the market for several teams and players, including the likes of Kiké Hernández, Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery and others.
Hernández is a free agent for the second time since 2020, when he left the Los Angeles Dodgers and signed a two-year, $14 million contract with the Boston Red Sox in order to have an everyday role. Hernández then signed a one-year extension with the Red Sox but now is back on the open market after somewhat of a down season.
The super utility man did put together better results after being traded to the Dodgers, but he’s no longer quite as intent on signing with a team that will guarantee a starting role.
Like other free agents, Hernández is waiting on business to pick up, which he presumes will occur after Ohtani makes his decision. Also during his appearance on “Foul Territory,” Hernández said Ohtani is a player he’d like to be teammates with:
“I mean, it would be kind of sick to see the Shohei Show for 162. But he’s not going to be fully Shohei next year because he can’t pitch.”
It’s plausible Hernández and Ohtani could be teammates on the Dodgers. The Toronto Blue Jays made a strong push for Ohtani, but he signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers.
Hernández is said to have a relatively robust market but specific teams outside of the Dodgers have not been publicly identified. Hernández admitted to being more open to re-signing with the Dodgers than he was in 2020.
Kiké Hernández surgery
Early into the offseason it was reported Hernández underwent double hernia surgery in October. He previously had surgery last year on the a hematoma in his psoas muscle, which is located between the lower part of the spine and upper thigh. He had missed 33 games during the 2022 season because of what initially was deemed a hip flexor strain.
Hernández is expected to make a full recovery by the start of Spring Training.
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