The considering that Teoscar Hernandez would signal early within the offseason or within the fast aftermath of Juan Soto’s choice 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 so far within the winter. Hernandez and the incumbent Dodgers have been unable to bridge a niche in Hernandez’s asking value and the crew’s provide. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com provides additional context, reporting that Hernandez is looking for a three-year deal that’ll assure him $22-24MM yearly.
A 3-year deal in $66-72MM vary would typically dovetail with expectations. Hernandez’s agent, Rafa Nieves, already said earlier within the offseason that Hernandez had been looking for three years final offseason once 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) affordable, regardless that he’s now headed into his age-32 season after rejecting a qualifying provide (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 web 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 looking 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 may’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 dwelling runs final season earlier than occurring to hit .250/.352/.417 in postseason play. His 28.8% strikeout fee was an enchancment over his 31.1% mark from 2023 however nonetheless sat about six share factors greater than league common. His 8.1% stroll fee was the second-best of his profession however fell proper according to the 8.2% league common. At this level, groups can anticipate plus energy, a below-average stroll fee and extra strikeouts than they’d favor from Hernandez. He drew nicely below-average marks for his protection, however Hernandez has plus velocity and above-average arm energy, per Statcast, so a crew may 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 doubtlessly problematic pairing, nevertheless. Hernandez has stated 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 manner that’s not the case with different Hernandez suitors.
