The Los Angeles Dodgers went into the offseason with needs in their starting rotation and outfield, and they have been aggressive looking to fill both of those areas.
They started off free agency with a splash by signing Blake Snell to a five-year, $182 million contract, and they reportedly submitted an offer to Juan Soto of at least $600 million.
While the Dodgers searched at the top of the market and made a play for Soto, they also remained in contract with their own free agent, Teoscar Hernández. Both sides had mutual interest in getting a deal done, and a reunion between the two always seemed like the most likely outcome.
Now, that has come to fruition. Hernández posted on Instagram he is re-signing with the Dodgers.
Teoscar Hernanes breaking news he’s re-signed with the #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/v9McSbLuTZ
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) December 27, 2024
According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com, Hernández and the Dodgers agreed to a three-year, $66 million contract:
Teoscar to Dodgers. 3 for 66.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) December 27, 2024
Hernández made it a priority to re-sign with the Dodgers and gave public remarks multiple times about his hope to stay in Los Angeles.
Even with that hope to remain in L.A., he did end up drawing interest from multiple other clubs, including the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles. Hernández’s market became all the more robust once Soto made his decision.
Hernández proved himself to be an important piece in their clubhouse during the 2024 season and produced at a star level on the field as well.
The 2024 World Series champion finished the season batting .272/.339/.501 with 32 doubles, a career-high 33 home runs and 99 RBI in 154 games.
Hernández’s .840 on-base plus slugging percentage was his highest mark since 2021, when it was .870 in his only other All-Star season.
Teoscar Hernández benefited from 1-year contract
After a down 2023 campaign, Hernández turned down more lucrative offers in free agency to sign a one-year, $23.5 million contract with the Dodgers for the 2024 season.
The All-Star outfielder took a chance on himself and embraced the opportunity to play for a World Series contender. That bet wound up paying off as He had a career season en route to reaching free agency for a second consecutive year.
After the 2024 season, the Dodgers extended Hernández a qualifying offer, which he ended up declining.
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