2:17PM: The Blue Jays even have curiosity in Hernandez however Anthony Santander seems to be Toronto’s chief backup goal if Soto isn’t signed, in accordance with MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand (X hyperlink).
1:44PM: The Dodgers and Pink Sox have been beforehand linked to Teoscar Hernandez’s market earlier this offseason, and MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo stories that the Yankees are additionally wanting on the free agent slugger. The three suitors all have “critical curiosity” in Hernandez’s companies, with one noteworthy caveat — all three golf equipment are within the working to land Juan Soto, so Hernandez is seen because the pure backup plan for all events if Soto can’t be signed.
The Mets and Blue Jays are the 2 different groups identified to nonetheless be pursuing Soto. In the meanwhile, all 5 groups appear to be nonetheless be into account even when the Mets and Yankees have reportedly pushed the bidding up into the vary of $710-$730MM. Los Angeles is considered the least aggressive of Soto’s 5 suitors and maybe appears extra more likely to break free from the pack to pivot in the direction of Hernandez or another choice, however Cotillo figures Hernandez gained’t make his personal determination till after Soto indicators.
Hernandez has brazenly stated that returning to the Dodgers is “the precedence” of his offseason, and “I’m going to do all the pieces in my energy to come back again….It feels nice to be a part of this.” After a down 12 months with the Mariners in 2023, Hernandez rebounded in the very best means by profitable a World Collection and hitting .272/.339/.501 with 33 dwelling runs over 652 plate appearances with L.A. final season. Hernandez inked a one-year, $23.5MM contract final winter and now seems to be poised to land a a lot heftier multi-year deal this time round.
As sources inform Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe (X hyperlink), Hernandez’s choice remains to be to stay with Los Angeles, although the Pink Sox have a stable case in their very own proper for the slugger’s companies. The Sox made a push for Hernandez final 12 months in providing him a two-year, $28MM deal that Hernandez turned down to be able to take the higher flexibility of the Dodgers’ one-year supply, plus L.A. was the extra clear-cut contender heading into 2024. Hernandez “has lengthy been intrigued by the concept of enjoying at Fenway Park and he’s a fan of Alex Cora,” Abraham writes, so with a World Collection ring now in tow, Hernandez might now discover a transfer to Boston and maybe a giant function in a future Pink Sox championship workforce.
The Yankees shouldn’t be ignored as contenders, as Hernandez has additionally loved a variety of success at Yankee Stadium over time. New York may need probably the most incentive of all these groups to bolster the lineup if Soto departs, even when including a giant bat within the infield can also be a precedence since Gleyber Torres and Anthony Rizzo are free brokers and unlikely to return.
Rejecting the Dodgers’ qualifying supply in all probability gained’t have a lot influence on Hernandez’s market, although the Yankees and Pink Sox would face a differing penalty stage for signing the outfielder (or any participant who rejected a QO). As a result of New York was a luxurious tax payor in 2024, signing Hernandez would value the Yankees $1MM in worldwide bonus pool cash and their second- and fifth-highest picks within the 2025 draft. Boston must hand over $500K of int’l pool funds and their second-highest 2025 draft decide. Los Angeles, after all, wouldn’t have to surrender something to signal Hernandez, as he is likely one of the Dodgers’ personal free brokers.
