Kiké Hernández reached free agency for the second time in his career after ending his 2023 season on a high note with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The 32-year-old saw improved results after being moved to the Dodgers at the MLB trade deadline as he hit .262/.308/.423 with 12 doubles, five home runs and 30 RBI in 54 games.
Hernández began the 2023 season with the Boston Red Sox and struggled to the tune of a .222/.279/.320 batting line in 86 games before the deal.
During a recent appearance on the “Foul Territory” show, Hernández said he felt like a different player after being traded to the Dodgers:
“I was expecting to get traded, but I wasn’t expecting to go back to L.A. Kind of quickly I hit it off with the hitting coaches because they have known me for years and we got back to some of the things I used to do. I instantly felt like a good player again and just enjoyed it.”
Hernández previously spent six seasons with the Dodgers before returning to the organization last summer. He found success as a utility man before leaving the team in free agency for an opportunity to have a starting role with the Red Sox.
Hernández continued to play almost every day upon his return to the Dodgers and is likely hoping for a similar role with his next team in 2024.
While Hernández has given hints that he would prefer signing a new contract with the Dodgers this offseason, his time in L.A. is presumably over following the team’s signing of Teoscar Hernández.
Despite this, Hernández is believed to have a relatively robust market and should sign a Major League deal well before the start of Spring Training next month.
Kiké Hernández’s free agency
Hernández has value as someone who can play all over the field and crush left-handed pitching despite coming off a down year. His closest comparison in terms of versatility is Ben Zobrist, who reached free agency after the 2015 season and went on to sign a four-year, $56 million contract with the Chicago Cubs.
However, Hernández noted that his free agency is unlike any other player due to his versatility and initial struggles last season.
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