Teoscar Hernández wished to stick with the Dodgers.
The Dodgers wished to maintain Teoscar Hernández.
As the edges grinded by way of a weeks-long negotiation for the free-agent outfielder this offseason, these truths by no means wavered.
And on Friday, these wishes lastly got here to fruition, with Hernández agreeing to re-sign with the Dodgers on a three-year, $66-million deal, in accordance with a number of folks with data of the scenario who weren’t licensed to talk publicly, that can convey again one of the crucial standard, productive and essential gamers from final season’s World Sequence group.
The deal, which additionally features a $15-million possibility for a fourth season, serves as the most recent transfer within the Dodgers’ offseason, as they attempt to defend their championship in 2025.
Retaining Hernández was one of many largest duties the Dodgers confronted this offseason. The 32-year-old slugger batted .272 final season with 33 residence runs and 99 RBIs, incomes his second All-Star choice after signing a one-year, $23.5-million deal the earlier offseason.
He delivered among the most essential hits of the Dodgers’ triumphant trek by way of the postseason, together with a key residence run in Sport 5 of the Nationwide League Division Sequence towards the San Diego Padres and the score-tying double within the Dodgers’ comeback win over the New York Yankees in Sport 5 of the World Sequence.
Though the Dodgers by no means engaged Hernández’s camp in contract talks through the season, the Dominican star repeatedly voiced his need to remain in Los Angeles after the season. Through the Dodgers’ championship rally, he acquired choked up with emotion whereas addressing the gang.
The query was whether or not Hernández and the Dodgers may come collectively on a extra profitable, long-term deal — the sort that didn’t materialize for Hernández final winter, prompting him to signal his one-year cope with the Dodgers final 12 months and rebuild his inventory with a resurgent 2024.
“The Dodgers are the priority obviously,” Hernández stated after the championship parade final month. “I’m going to do everything in my power to come back.”
Conversations between the Dodgers and Hernández’s camp started early within the offseason, however talks didn’t intensify till the times main as much as the winter conferences, in accordance with folks with data of the scenario however not licensed to talk publicly.
Extra wrenches have been thrown into the method when Juan Soto’s document signing with the New York Mets created new potential suitors in Hernández’s free company, because the next-best free-agent outfielder on the open market.
The Dodgers additionally signed an outfielder of their very own, replenishing their skinny depth on the place with a one-year, $17-million contract for veteran Michael Conforto.
That led to one thing of a ready sport on the winter conferences. The perimeters have been comparatively shut, folks with data of the scenario stated. However talks did encounter some sticking factors — amongst them the inclusion of deferral cash, with Hernández agreeing to defer $23 million whereas additionally receiving a $23 million signing bonus.
“I know that he has talked about wanting to [stay in Los Angeles], I know that we have talked about wanting him to, so again, that’s helpful — but it’s not everything,” president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman stated throughout winter conferences, in quite foreboding remarks that hinted at strains within the course of.
“He and his family get to go through the interest and figure out what makes the most sense for them,” Friedman added. “So, while we’re hopeful, at the same time, if he ends up signing somewhere else, we have no choice but to wish him well.”
As a substitute, ultimately, the 2 camps discovered a approach to hammer out a cheerful reunion.
Now, Hernández’s time in Los Angeles will final a couple of triumphant 12 months. And because the Dodgers map out a path to repeat as champions in 2025, the three-time Silver Slugger figures prominently of their plans.
With Mookie Betts anticipated to return to shortstop subsequent season, Hernández seems to be a candidate to be the on a regular basis proper fielder — his strongest defensive place after splitting time within the reverse nook of the outfield final season.
Hernández possible will reprise his function as a run-producer behind the star trio of Shohei Ohtani, Betts and Freddie Freeman as effectively. Final 12 months, Hernández’s .943 on-base-plus-slugging share with runners in scoring place ranked second on the group, whereas his 99 RBIs have been seventh-most within the NL.
Hernández additionally turned an integral a part of a clubhouse tradition the Dodgers repeatedly cited as an element for his or her success in October. His showering of sunflower seeds on teammates following residence runs turned a daily celebration. He was among the many first gamers to forge a relationship with Ohtani in spring coaching, and youthful gamers like Andy Pages additionally benefited from Hernández’s presence.
These elements made the nine-year veteran look like a no brainer to convey again, however his negotiations with the group weren’t with out roadblocks.
Hernández is getting into the again half of his profession and should attempt to push back the statistical regression that usually ensnares sluggers as they age.
Although he raised his OPS from a career-low .741 in 2023 (enjoying for the Seattle Mariners in pitcher-friendly T-Cell Park) to .840 with the Dodgers (the second-highest mark of his profession for a full season), he additionally struck out 188 instances, persevering with a career-long behavior of excessive swing-and-miss charges.
And with a purpose to re-sign Hernández, the group’s pushed its luxurious tax payroll previous final 12 months’s whole of $353 million, in accordance with Cot’s Baseball Contracts, setting them up for heavy tax penalties once more in 2025.
But, had the membership missed on Hernández, it will have needed to look elsewhere to spherical out its outfield depth chart.
So, ultimately, the Dodgers stayed engaged with the identify they have been most acquainted with, locking up Hernández after his contributions to their title-winning group, guaranteeing he’ll stay a key a part of their championship protection too.
