Dodgers’ Jack Flaherty, Teoscar Hernández Among Top Pending Free Agents
With the ending of each season, a handful of players become eligible for free agency. Sometimes if a player impresses a franchise, the team will re-sign their own free agents before another team gets the chance.
The Athletic’s Jim Bowden ranked the top 50 pending free agents, including two Dodgers players. The Dodgers may look to re-sign one or both of these players in order to secure them for at least one more season. Deadline acquisition Jack Flaherty checked in at No. 14, while outfielder Teoscar Hernández was ranked at No. 19.
Flaherty, 28, has been a boon to the Dodgers’ rotation since he was acquired from the Detroit Tigers on July 30. He was considered the deadline’s top pitching target. Since moving to Los Angeles, the former Tigers pitcher has made two starts and remains undefeated in Dodger blue. He has a 3.09 ERA and has logged 17 strikeouts compared to only two walks across 11.2 innings.
Flaherty’s overall season ERA (2.97) is the lowest it has been since 2019, when he recorded career highs in innings pitched (196.1) and strikeouts (231).
The Dodgers knew Flaherty might have been a mere rental player when they acquired him last month. His recent performance with the team could convince the Dodgers to pursue a reunion.
Hernández, 31, signed as a free agent to a one-year with the Dodgers in the offseason. This season, he’s become a fan favorite on the strength of his powerful bat and cheery disposition.
The reigning Home Run Derby champion is having his best season since 2021, when he made his first MLB All-Star team. He’s slashing .271/.335/.503, and his slugging percentage (.503) and home runs (26) rank fifth in the National League entering Wednesday’s game in Milwaukee.
In addition to his batting abilities, Hernández’s defense in left field has been a boon. Notably, he’s been healthy in every season since 2022 — a trait many Dodgers players have lacked this season.
Similarly to Flaherty, the Dodgers could prioritize re-signing Hernández when the 2024 season ends.
Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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