At the deadline to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players last year, the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to one-year deals with both Scott Alexander and Austin Barnes.
That coincided with the Dodgers tendering contracts to Pedro Baez, Cody Bellinger, Kiké Hernandez, Max Muncy, Joc Pederson, Corey Seager, Ross Stripling, Chris Taylor and Julio Urias. Yimi Garcia was non-tendered, became a free agent and eventually signed with the Miami Marlins.
On Friday morning the Dodgers reportedly agreed to one-year contracts with Ross Stripling and Julio Urias.
According to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group, L.A. has additionally avoided arbitration with Hernandez:
Add Kike’ Hernandez to the signed group ($5.9m) https://t.co/YP5RQraXsR
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) January 10, 2020
The Dodgers also avoided arbitration with Bellinger and Seager, per Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times:
#Dodgers OF/1B Cody Bellinger agrees to terms on a $11.5-million deal. SS Corey Seager agrees to $7.6-million deal.
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) January 10, 2020
Hernandez was projected by MLB Trade Rumors to earn a $5.5 million salary this season. Like most other contracts when avoiding arbitration, his deal presumably is non-guaranteed and for one year.
While the Dodgers don’t figure to be in a position where Hernandez is released because of that, he has been the subject of trade speculation this winter. Despite an apparent willingness by the Dodgers to trade Hernandez, there’s yet to be any interest reported.
Hernandez is due to become a free agent after the 2020 season, which may be a factor for the Dodgers. They nonetheless value his versatility and again moved Hernandez around the field despite his winning the starting job at second base during a Spring Training competition.
Hernandez got off to a hot start last season but eventually cooled and finished the year batting .237/.304/.411 with 19 doubles, 17 home runs, 57 runs scored and a career-high 64 RBI. He was actually one of the team’s better hitters going into the postseason and in three National League Division Series games against the Washington Nationals, Hernandez went 3-for-7 with a walk, home run and three RBI.
Meanwhile, Bellinger was rewarded for his MVP season, and Seager also surpassed his projected salary. The 25-year-old shortstop has been the subject of persistent trade rumors all offseason as the Dodgers look to improve their roster.
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