Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández on Impending Free Agency: ‘I Want to Stay’ in LA

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ offseason included $1.2 billion of future salary commitments that included bringing in Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow.

Their best addition might just be Teoscar Hernández.

Hernández, 31, has thrived in his first season in Los Angeles. He’s been the lone consistent contributor outside of the top four in the lineup, slashing .266/.333/.516 with 16 home runs and 48 RBIs. He has an .849 OPS and an OPS+ that’s 39 percent above league average. He also has a 2.0 fWAR.

Hernández has been everything the Dodgers could have asked for and more, and has single-handedly maintained their outfield production.

The Dodgers signed Hernández to a one-year deal this offseason, and he made it clear in his introductory press conference that his market never materialized as he wanted. However, he turned down more money to come to the Dodgers, and is now having one of the best and most fun seasons of his career.

Hernández has already earned himself a lot of money this offseason, especially after his performance over the weekend in a playoff-like atmosphere against the New York Yankees.

Hernández went 6-for-12 with three home runs, two doubles, and nine runs batted in. He was the hero on Friday night with a game-winning two-run double in the 11th inning, he hit two home runs on Saturday night including the dagger grand slam, and he hit a go-ahead home run on Sunday night.

Hernández made it clear that he raises his game in the big moments, and that’s exactly what the Dodgers need in the postseason. So, could the two sides make a deal to keep him in Los Angeles for the foreseeable future?

Over the weekend, Hernández caught up with Bill Ladson of MLB.com, who asked him about his impending free agency. Hernández made his intentions clear.

“I want to stay. I don’t want to keep bouncing around the league. I feel good here, comfortable. I think this is a good chance for me to win. That is the most important thing for me. It’s a great group. I would love to stay.”

– Teoscar Hernández, via MLB.com

This is a huge development for the Dodgers. It would have made a lot of sense for Hernández to come to the Dodgers, raise his value, and then go sign a huge contract elsewhere. However, if he wants to stay with the Dodgers, the team should do whatever it takes to keep him in Los Angeles.

Hernández has not only been a huge contributor on the field, he’s been a great clubhouse guy, too. He and Ohtani have a great friendship, and Hernández’s energy and smile bring great vibes to the Dodgers’ clubhouse.

The Dodgers don’t typically do midseason extensions, but they did sign Will Smith to a massive 10-year extension just before their domestic Opening Day. They could look to extend Hernández over the next few months. If they don’t, his value might greatly raise once the postseason rolls around.

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Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports