While the big pieces of Major League Baseball’s free agency begin to come off the board, Teoscar Hernández remains on the open market as the top outfielder available.
Hernández has been linked to several teams this offseason, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox.
As of late, the Yankees, Dodgers and Red Sox appear to be the three vying for his services. The Dodgers remain the perceived favorite.
Hernández has been vocal about wanting to stay in L.A., but his free agency decision could be swayed by some other factors. One of those could be the stadium and manager as Hernández is fond of the idea of playing in Fenway Park for Red Sox skipper Alex Cora, per Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe:
Via a few sources: Teoscar Hernández has told people he would prefer to stay with the Dodgers but has long been intrigued by the idea of playing at Fenway Park and he's a fan of Alex Cora. It could come down to the Sox and Dodgers.
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) December 8, 2024
Hernández was heavily pursued by the Red Sox before signing with the Dodgers for the 2024 season. The 32-year-old went on to post one of the best seasons of his career, becoming a playoff force en route to helping the team win a World Series championship.
Hernández has a great deal of familiarity in the American League East, spending six seasons with the Blue Jays from 2017-2022.
If a contract lands him with the Red Sox, Hernández’s offensive numbers are superb as he’s batted .282/.344.606 with nine doubles, 14 home runs and 36 runs scored over 45 career games in Fenway Park.
Are Dodgers still the favorite to re-sign Teoscar Hernández?
Following Juan Soto’s decision to sign with the New York Mets, Hernández’s stock rose quite a bit. The reason being is that the Red Sox and Yankees both have needs in their current outfield and missed out on Soto.
For the Dodgers, they share the same issue. Reportedly signing outfielder Michael Confroto to a one-year contract on Sunday checks one box for the possible two outfielders they need to add.
Hernández is the other shoe to drop, and for how much he voiced his affinity for the Dodgers about a long-term deal, they share mutual goals. Combining all these factors, a continuation of his tenure out West is more than likely, barring a vast overpay to sway the veteran player’s wishes.
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