The Dodgers haven’t had any in-season extension discussions with Teoscar Hernández, the slugger instructed reporters earlier than tonight’s doable elimination recreation (X hyperlink by way of Fabian Ardaya of the Athletic). Hernández doesn’t appear bothered by the dearth of talks, saying that he’s targeted on the season and hasn’t given free company a lot thought.
Hernández has had a incredible rebound on a pillow contract. He drilled a career-high 33 house runs by means of 652 plate appearances. His .272/.339/.501 slash was again to the shape he confirmed throughout his peak years with the Blue Jays. His middling .258/.305/.435 line with the Mariners from 2023 seems to be like an anomaly — one pushed by his struggles at Seattle’s pitcher-friendly house park.
That down 12 months with the Mariners dealt an enormous hit to Hernández’s market a 12 months in the past. He clearly didn’t discover a multi-year deal that was to his liking. He disclosed the phrases of 1 provide he acquired, telling Rob Bradford of WEEI in July that the Crimson Sox had proposed a two-year, $28MM deal. Hernández wasn’t involved in locking in a number of seasons at a diminished $14MM common annual worth. He signed with Los Angeles for a complete of $23.5MM, although he solely collected $15MM this 12 months. The remaining $8.5MM shall be paid in 10 installments between 2030-39.
Hernández’s wager on himself paid off. He’ll return to free company in a greater place than he was final season. The Dodgers could make him a qualifying provide. He’d very doubtless decline that $21MM+ wage searching for a long-term deal. Hernández turns 32 subsequent month, so he’ll in all probability be restricted to 3 or at most 4 years. That would come at one thing just like the $20MM common annual worth which gamers like Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos acquired as free brokers. Hernández might be the third-best outfielder within the class behind Juan Soto and Anthony Santander.
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Offers Hernández’s productiveness, it stands to purpose the Dodgers will make some effort to retain the two-time All-Star every time the season concludes. They may balk at paying market value on a multi-year deal operating into his mid-30s, although. Shohei Ohtani’s presence means the Dodgers would want to decide to taking part in Hernández in left area for the whole thing of the contract. L.A. moved Mookie Betts again to proper area when he returned from damage in early August. They’ve used deadline pickup Tommy Edman as their major heart fielder.
They’ll wish to preserve a long-term outfield spot accessible for Andy Pages. The 23-year-old performed largely heart area as a rookie. Prospect evaluators have typically projected Pages to a nook, which is supported by the middling defensive grades (-8 Defensive Runs Saved, -1 Outs Above Common) he posted in heart. The Dodgers have toyed with taking part in prime catching prospect Dalton Speeding extra continuously in left area. Barring an damage to Will Smith, there’s no path to common taking part in time for Speeding behind the plate in Los Angeles.
