The Los Angeles Dodgers addressed their need for a right-handed bat by acquiring Kiké Hernández from the Boston Red Sox at the 2023 MLB trade deadline.
Hernández saw improved results at the plate with the Dodgers as he batted .262/.308/.423 with 12 doubles, five home runs and 30 RBI in 54 games. The utility man hit just .222/.279/.320 with 17 extra-base hits and 31 RBI in 86 games with the Red Sox before the trade.
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.
However, the 32-year-old can’t say with certainty where he will be playing next season, via the “Foul Territory” show:
“The one thing I know for a fact is I have no clue where I’m going to play next year.”
As the Dodgers look to fill out their bench this offseason, Hernández is certainly a candidate to return due to his success against left-handed pitching, versatility and clubhouse presence.
Though, any potential re-signing will likely come later in the offseason as L.A. is currently focused on Shohei Ohtani’s free agency and bolstering their starting rotation. Still, it would not be surprising to see Hernández back in a Dodgers uniform next season.
Hernández had double hernia surgery in October but should resume baseball activities around the end of November. That timeline leaves him well on track to make a full recovery in time for the start of Spring Training and certainly Opening Day.
It seems unlikely he will get another chance as a starting player like he did with the Red Sox, but he should still provide a quality player to whichever team ends up signing him.
Kiké Hernández enjoyed being part of alternate NLDS broadcasts
After the Dodgers were eliminated from the postseason, Hernández served as one of the panelists for Games 1 and 2 of the National League Championship Series alternate broadcast on truTV.
The 32-year-old said he enjoyed being part of the telecasts and talking baseball with the likes of Pedro Martínez, Albert Pujols, Yonder Alonso and Néstor Cortés.
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