Can the Red Sox lure away Teoscar Hernandez from the Dodgers in free agency this winter?
Dodgers slugger Teoscar Hernandez is one win away from punching his ticket into the World Series. Five days after the Fall Classic comes to an end, Hernandez will become a free agent; speculation will swirl on whether the Red Sox will be suitors for a second straight offseason.
Prior to Hernandez signing a one-year, $23.5 million deal, spurning the Red Sox offer of two years and $28 million. Boston will be in the market to add right-handed power bats, with Tyler O’Neill also about to hit the market.
Hernandez has been public about how much he likes hitting and playing at Fenway Park, and he reiterated that to WEEI’s Rob Bradford before Game 4 of the NLCS at Citi Field on Thursday night.
"Everything about that field is good," Hernandez said. "And I don’t think it’s only me. I’m not the player who is saying that about Fenway. The atmosphere over there is really good. The fans love the team. They go to the ballpark. And they support the team. For me, that’s a big thing when you have a good fan base. But it’s been great here. Fans love this team. They go everywhere, and they support their players. It’s going to be a little hard for me in the next free agency. It’s going to be fun, and obviously I’m going to try and make the best decision for me and my family."
The 32-year-old could receive the qualifying offer from the Dodgers this winter, which could complicate things for the Red Sox. If he receives the $21.05 QO, Los Angeles will receive draft pick compensation.
The Dodgers will certainly try to bring the power hitter back after he hit 33 homers with a .840 OPS in 154 games. For Hernandez, he will keep all options open this winter and do what’s best for him and his family.
"It’s going to be the same. Obviously, I’m going to try to go wherever I think is best for me and my family. And, obviously, where I can get a big chance to win. For me, winning is the priority. Obviously, I want a good contract and all of that, but winning is everything for me."
Boston has Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, and Ceddanne Rafaela penciled into the outfield as of right now, heading into 2025. Masataka Yoshida was the designated hitter all last season, and he underwent shoulder surgery this week; his timetable for return is not known. Hernandez could help the Sox’ in the outfield while being mixed into the DH spot.
Despite the obvious fit with the Red Sox, the Dodgers may have the edge due to their current competitive window and ultimately will spend what it takes to put a consistent winner on the field every season. Something the Red Sox seem unwilling to do since their last World Series title back in 2018.
"It’s a little better than I thought it would be," said Hernandez of his time with the Dodgers. "Obviously, I learned a lot in the couple of months I have been here. It is a wonderful organization. It’s been a blessing. The things that I have learned in these couple of months... I have learned to be a better player and better person. It’s been great.
"You learn. Every step of your career, you learn something new. Obviously, this one put me in free agency, but at the same time, I don’t think about much of what is going to happen next. I’m trying to finish this one and stay focused on the things I have to do for the Dodgers and for my career."
