Teoscar Hernandez (32), who was a key member of the Los Angeles Dodgers' 2024 World Series championship, is expected to move to Washington D.C. Boston is also reportedly participating in the recruitment of Hernandez.메이저사이트
"Theoscar Hernandez, who was the main player in the Dodgers' 2024 World Series victory, will transfer to another team this winter as a free agent," the U.S. online media "Spotting News" predicted on the 5th (Korea Standard Time), adding, "He can sign a four-year $80 million contract with Washington."
The media pointed out, "Left fielder Hernandez in the Washington lineup is a perfect combination in both offense and defense," adding, "Washington has only 42 home runs produced by right-handed hitters this season."
Hernandez, a native of the Dominican Republic, signed a one-year, 23.5 million-dollar contract with the Dodgers ahead of this season. Having played in a total of 154 games during this regular season as a Dodgers uniform, Hernandez posted an outstanding batting average of 0.272 with 33 home runs and 99 RBIs. He also had a good OPS of 0.840, which was a combination of on-base plus slugging percentage.
The media predicted, "Hernandez has fully proved his skills by recording his career high home run for the Dodgers this season and being selected as the second All-Star in his career." "But it will not be easy to sign a multi-year contract with Hernandez because the Dodgers are planning to spend a lot of money in the FA market to recruit key shortstop this winter."
However, the player himself is known to be very attached to the Dodgers. "As I said before, the Dodgers are my top priority to me," Hernandez said in an interview with the Major League's website (MLB.com ) right after the World Series. "I will do everything I can to return to the Dodgers."
A number of local media in the U.S., including MLB.com , said in unison, "It would not have been easy to win the World Series without Hernandez in the Dodgers lineup this season." His 33 home runs are second in the team after his colleague Shohei Ohtani's 54 home runs.
Hernandez's value shone even more because Hernandez made good compensation for the loss of Dodgers' main hitter Freddie Freeman (35) and right fielder Mookie Betts (32) due to injuries and other reasons. Hernandez was durable enough to play in 154 games this season.
Hernandez's contribution stood out in the postseason as well. He had a batting average of 0.333 with two homers and seven RBIs in the National League Division Series, which he faced off with the San Diego Padres. His OPS stood at a whopping 1.067.
In the World Series, he also played in all five games and contributed to the Dodgers' first World Series victory in four years with a batting average of 0.350 and one home run, four RBIs and an OPS of 0.931.
"Not only Washington but also Boston are interested in recruiting Hernandez and are planning to move this winter," the media said. "Boston has already decided to leave Tyler O'Neill (29), who was a right-handed giant in the team, without making a qualifying offer. This is interpreted as Boston's move to participate in the recruitment of Hernandez."
In the Major League FA market this winter, several teams are looking for right-handed hitters in addition to the aforementioned Washington D.C. and Boston. As a result, Hernandez's value is likely to rise further. However, only time will tell what the outcome will come out in the future as the player himself has great affection for the Dodgers.
Hernandez first received a qualifying offer from the Dodgers. The 2024 qualifying offer is 21.05 million dollars. Therefore, chances are slim that Hernandez, who received 23.5 million dollars in annual salary this season, will accept the offer. Players who have received a qualifying offer must decide whether to accept it or not by August 20.