The Dodgers haven’t ruled out another free agent splurge. After committing more than $1 billion to Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow this month alone, the Dodgers’ front office is keeping tabs on the market for free agent...
The Dodgers haven’t ruled out another free agent splurge.
After committing more than $1 billion to Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow this month alone, the Dodgers’ front office is keeping tabs on the market for free agent outfielder Teoscar Hernandez, according to Francys Romero:
Hernandez, 31, was linked to the Dodgers earlier in the offseason. That was before the team’s run on pitching netted them two front-line starters in Yamamoto and Glasnow, and another in two-way star Shohei Ohtani, who isn’t expected to pitch until 2025.
Even after those investments, it seems the Dodgers can’t be ruled out of another free-agent pursuit.
Hernandez batted .258 with 26 home runs and 93 RBIs in 2023, his only season in Seattle. The Mariners previously acquired Hernandez from Toronto in a trade for pitcher Erik Swanson and prospect Adam Macko.
Although he appeared in all but two of the Mariners’ 162 games, Hernandez saw his OPS+ dip to 106, his lowest since 2019. His 211 strikeouts were second in the American League to teammate Eugenio Suarez.
Hernandez has a 119 OPS+ over parts of eight seasons with the Houston Astros, Blue Jays, and Mariners. He won two Silver Slugger awards during his time in Toronto.
In November the Mariners declined to offer Hernandez a one-year, $20.325 million qualifying offer, making him a free agent.
Although he could be looking for a better opportunity than the Dodgers are willing to offer, Hernandez would fit in nicely in an outfield rotation that includes Jason Heyward, James Outman, Chris Taylor and Manuel Margot. He has historically hit left-handed pitching better than right-handed pitching. So has Margot, however, so the Dodgers might view Hernandez as a luxury.
Hernandez has played all three outfield positions during his career. In 2023, the Mariners limited him to right field and designated hitter.
The Dodgers’ payroll for luxury-tax calculation purposes is estimated between $286-289 million. The highest tax threshold is $297 million, above which teams are taxed 110 percent on any overage.
Photo Credit: Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY Sports
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