With the start of Spring Training rapidly approaching, at least four of this offseason’s group of Los Angeles Dodgers free agents are guaranteed not to return with the team in 2021.
Pedro Baez signed with Houston Astros, Alex Wood joined the San Francisco Giants, Kiké Hernandez has reportedly agreed to a contract with the Boston Red Sox, and Joc Pederson came to terms with the Chicago Cubs.
Hernandez’s deal with the Red Sox reportedly is for two years and $14 million. As of this publishing the team had yet to make the contract official. That will be predicated on Hernandez passing a physical, which essentially is a mere formality at this point.
In his first comments since the reported signing, Hernandez shared an emotional video in which he reflected on the past six seasons with the Dodgers and thanked fans.
DEAR LA,
I LOVE YOU FOREVER!!
THANK YOU!! pic.twitter.com/kSIAwJiOt9
— Enrique Hernández (@kikehndez) January 29, 2021
The Dodgers acquired Hernandez, along with Andrew Heaney, Chris Hatcher and Austin Barnes in a December 2014 trade that sent Dee Gordon, Dan Haren, Miguel Rojas and cash considerations to the Miami Marlins.
Hernandez emerged as a super utility man in L.A., providing plus defense at every position and a bat to neutralize left-handed pitching. He appeared in at least 100 games during four of those seasons, including three of at least 130. Last year Hernandez played in 80% (48) of 60 games.
A return to the Dodgers didn’t appear to be in the cards due to Hernandez seeking an everyday role. He’s expected to earn the starting job at second base with the Red Sox, which was also the case with the Dodgers in 2019.
Hernandez sensed ‘last dance’ with Dodgers
Prior to the 2020 regular season beginning, Hernandez acknowledged it had the feeling of a potential final run for the core roster. “I’m not going to lie, there’s been a comment here and there,” Hernandez said last July.
“I think all of us feel though free agency can be at the back of our minds or whatever, it can creep into your thoughts here and there. But I think we’re all very focused in what we want to accomplish this year and what the goal for us as a unit is.
“I think we’re all looking forward to this year and not thinking really about next year because it’s going to be a short season, it’s going be a very different season. So we just want to make the best of it and find a way to make this season seem as normal as possible.”
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