With the Boston Red Sox facing a roster crunch at the 2023 trade deadline, it created an opportunity for Kiké Hernández to have a second stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Dodgers were in search of a right-handed hitting position player to combat left-handed pitching and have long valued the type of versatility Hernández possesses. He enjoyed somewhat of a resurgence back in L.A. and went into free agency with an interest in re-signing with the Dodgers.
That possibility appeared to be all but ruled out when Manuel Margot was acquired with Tyler Glasnow in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. Amid a slow-moving free agency, Hernández was said to be nearing a free agency decision two months after that.
During an appearance on “Foul Territory,” Hernández revealed he was down to re-signing with the Dodgers or joining the New York Yankees, but chose to return because of an opportunity to start against left-handed pitchers:
“At the end, the Tigers were very interested. The Angels were there, but never really made an offer. The Giants were kind of in there, but they were also waiting until the end to kind of make an offer, and they ended up not making an offer. There were a lot of teams that checked in just to see.
“They were like, ‘Hey, time keeps going by and guys are starting to sign for really cheap, and we’re wondering if he wants to sign for that cheap too.’ I held my ground and I was waiting for the right opportunity. Obviously, I was trying to get a little more money than the guys that got a little desperate at the end. …
“At the end, it came down to Dodgers or Yankees. Big market only. I chose the Dodgers because they have a lot of left-handed hitters and obviously I have familiarity. I was already late to spring and I didn’t have to pack my bags and fly to Florida and all that, move my family across the country.
“Dodgers being here in Arizona (for Spring Training) was very convenient and also they have a lot of left-handed hitters in the lineup. And the main reason is they were able to guarantee me to at least start against left-handed pitchers to start the year, and from then on, anything can happen. The Yankees have a really good lineup as well, just like the Dodgers, but they have a lot of right-handed hitters and their lefties are not platoon guys.”
Prior to Hernández re-signing with the Dodgers on a one-year, $4 million contract, it was reported his decision would be made between the Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Giants, Minnesota Twins and San Diego Padres. The Twins seemingly fell out of the running by trading for Margot.
Hernández is the second known free agent to choose the Dodgers over the Yankees this past offseason, as they also were in the running for Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Although the Dodgers intend to rely on Hernández against left-handed pitching, his splits last season were nearly identical.
In 347 plate appearances when facing a right-hander, Hernández batted .235/.282/.365 with 18 doubles, eight home runs, 44 RBI, a .282 wOBA and 72 wRC+.
Over 161 plate appearances against a lefty, he hit .239/.304/.338 with five doubles, three home runs, 17 RBI, a .281 wOBA and 73 wRC+.
Overall production from Hernández could increase this season as he’s fully healthy after undergoing double hernia surgery in the offseason to address an injury he played through for two years.
Kiké Hernández bobblehead night
Soon after his return was made official, the Dodgers announced a Kiké Hernández bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium for July 24.
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