As the Los Angeles Dodgers looked to add a right-handed bat at the 2023 MLB trade deadline, it led to completing a deal with the Boston Red Sox for a reunion with Kiké Hernández.
Hernández had been in the midst of a disappointing season, but the Dodgers were confident a return to familiarity would lead to improved results at the plate.
The change of scenery proved beneficial as Hernández hit .262/.308/.423 with 12 doubles, five home runs and 30 RBI over 54 games with L.A. He started in 22 games against left-handed starters after the trade and also received plenty of opportunities against right-handed pitchers.
Now a free agent for the second time in his career, Hernández said he is more willing to re-sign with the Dodgers than he was during the 2020-2021 offseason, via the “Foul Territory” show:
“Yeah, definitely. I’m definitely more open than I was in ’20. In ’20 it was a for sure no, because I was looking for an opportunity to play every day. The roster was a little different. I think the roster was a little deeper back then, so it was harder for me to get consistent at-bats. I went there this year not thinking I was going to play as much as I did. Just like the last time, it’s going to be all about fit and the right place. These are things that are not easy to take into consideration, especially now with a kid. We’ll see. I’m not opposed to coming back but I’m also not closing doors on 29 other teams.”
“At least I got to experience it already once. Day 1 of free agency, like half the league called. I was like, ‘Oh, this is going to be great. I’m going to get $300 million.’ And then down to the wire, there was only like four teams that had legit interest. At the end of the day, one more team made an offer but it wasn’t an official offer, so at the end of the day just the Red Sox offered me a contract. So at least I know what to expect and I’m not going to be bugging my agent every single day.”
When Hernández became a free agent three years ago, it was on the heels of a strong season and World Series title with the Dodgers. He ended up signing with the Red Sox and earned every day at-bats in center field and second base.
If Hernández re-signs with the Dodgers this offseason, he figures to primarily start against left-handed pitchers and play all over the field.
Kiké Hernández underwent offseason surgery
Hernández had double hernia surgery in October but should start baseball activities around the end of November. That timeline leaves Hernández well on track to make a full recovery in time for the start of Spring Training and certainly Opening Day.
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