The considering that Teoscar Hernandez would signal early within the offseason or within the instant aftermath of Juan Soto’s resolution has not performed out as such. The 32-year-old slugger stays unsigned, reportedly juggling curiosity from no less than the Dodgers, Blue Jays, Purple Sox and Yankees thus far within the winter. Hernandez and the incumbent Dodgers have been unable to bridge a spot in Hernandez’s asking value and the crew’s supply. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com provides additional context, reporting that Hernandez is searching for a three-year deal that’ll assure him $22-24MM yearly.
A 3-year deal in $66-72MM vary would usually dovetail with expectations. Hernandez’s agent, Rafa Nieves, already acknowledged earlier within the offseason that Hernandez had been searching for three years final offseason after they pivoted and took a one-year deal in Los Angeles. A 3-year deal on the heels of the slugger’s rebound marketing campaign in L.A. appeared (and nonetheless appears) cheap, although he’s now headed into his age-32 season after rejecting a qualifying supply (and thus attaching himself to draft choose compensation). That $22-24MM vary would align with final 12 months’s $23MM wage (although a few of that was deferred, dinging the online current worth a bit).
With Soto off the board, Hernandez and fellow slugger Anthony Santander are the highest nook outfield bats on the free agent market. Santander is 2 years youthful however can also be reportedly searching for a five-year deal after swatting 44 homers for the Orioles in 2024. Each gamers rejected QOs. Hernandez is the extra inexpensive of the 2 however can also be older and extra strikeout-prone. The presence of Cody Bellinger on the commerce market and the latest emergence of the now-traded Kyle Tucker would possibly’ve mixed to gradual issues down for Hernandez’s market, speculatively talking.
Hernandez turned in a .272/.339/.501 slash with a career-high 33 residence runs final season earlier than happening to hit .250/.352/.417 in postseason play. His 28.8% strikeout price was an enchancment over his 31.1% mark from 2023 however nonetheless sat about six proportion factors greater than league common. His 8.1% stroll price was the second-best of his profession however fell proper in keeping with the 8.2% league common. At this level, groups can anticipate plus energy, a below-average stroll price and extra strikeouts than they’d favor from Hernandez. He drew effectively below-average marks for his protection, however Hernandez has plus velocity and above-average arm power, per Statcast, so a crew would possibly assume there’s sufficient uncooked expertise to coax some higher efficiency out of him.
The defensive issues do make a multi-year reunion with the Dodgers a probably problematic pairing, nonetheless. Hernandez has mentioned he hopes to return — and the Dodgers are clearly open to a reunion. Beating the remainder of the market when Hernandez is already 32 and there’s no DH alternative due to the presence of Shohei Ohtani may make a long-term association worrisome for Los Angeles in a means that’s not the case with different Hernandez suitors.
