Even after winning the 2024 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers have continued to upgrade their roster in a significant way with the hopes of creating a dynasty.
Outfield help is high on the list of priorities for the Dodgers front office, and they have also pursued top available relievers and brought in depth pieces and role players.
In addition, they still have numerous free agents from their 2024 team that they hope to re-sign, including Teoscar Hernández and Walker Buehler. Kiké Hernández is another one of those players, and interest between the two sides is sure to be there.
On an episode of “House Calls,” Hernández reiterated that returning to the Dodgers is his primary focus:
“I mean, I wish I knew. If this was a month later, maybe I’d have a better idea, but the main priority for me is coming back. … If not them, then somewhere where the team is positioned to go on a deep run into October, because I need to have October baseball. That’s part of who I am. I’m kind of addicted to playoff baseball and I need that in my life.”
Entering his age-33 season, Hernández is still a valuable piece to a big league club. Most known for his versatility, one of his coveted qualities is also the ability to perform when the calendar turns October.
The two-time World Series champion owns a career .874 postseason on-base plus slugging percentage with 15 doubles, two triples, 15 homers and 35 RBI in the playoffs.
Hernández’s knack for the big moment and fiery but fun-loving demeanor around the diamond is why he’s a fan favorite in Los Angeles. He also played a massive role in the team’s 2024 postseason run, batting .294/.357/.451 with two home runs, six RBI and a 129 wRC+ in 14 playoff games.
The utilityman is unlikely to get as many at-bats in L.A. as he could with another organization, but he’s almost guaranteed to be in the postseason, and that seems to be Hernández’s driving motivation, making a return all the more likely.
Should the Dodgers re-sign Kiké Hernández?
Hernández’s performance in the postseason is enough to carry him through a regular season that might come with some inconsistency.
Of course, the worry is that his regular season numbers can be abysmal, as they were prior to Hernández seeking out a pair of prescription lenses last season. But after that, he seemed as dialed in as he was during his prime years with the Dodgers and in 2021 with the Boston Red Sox.
Hernández is projected to receive a one-year, $2.8 million contract, per Spotrac, but it’s less about the money for the Dodgers and more about finding enough at-bats to keep him fresh. The Dodgers love to find platoon roles for some players, and if he returns, he will have a similar role to his 2024 usage.
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