Dodgers Make Teoscar Hernandez Signing Official
Outfielder Teoscar Hernández, the two-time Silver Slugger Award winner, is officially a Los Angeles Dodger. The team announced Hernández’s signing to a one-year, $23.5 million contract Friday.
The Dodgers’ 40-man roster now stands at 39.
Hernández, 31, agreed to terms on a deferred-money contract Sunday, but the Dodgers could not announce the signing until they had cleared space on their 40-man roster.
That was no longer an issue after Thursday, when the Dodgers traded infielder Michael Busch and pitcher Yency Almonte to the Chicago Cubs for two teenage prospects.
Once Hernández passed his physical, the Dodgers were free to announce the signing as official. In the meantime, they were able to craft a short hype video:
Hernández, 31, played in 160 games with the Seattle Mariners in 2023, batting .258 with 26 homers and 93 RBIs. His 12 outfield assists tied with Alex Verdugo for the American League lead and second overall in the majors.
A right-handed hitter, Hernández slashed .287/.307/.510 against lefties last season, notching seven homers and driving in 27 runs.
Having already answered the annual question of “who won the offseason,” the Dodgers’ front office can perhaps slow its pace after what has been perhaps the busiest winter in team history — and let other teams catch up to their blistering spending.
The position player side of the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster seems set. Barring a trade, the Dodgers don’t having a glaring need to add to their projected major league roster with spring training looming on the horizon. Still, an open 40-man roster spot remains.
Franchise icon Clayton Kershaw, who is coming off significant shoulder surgery, remains a free agent. He doesn’t expect to pitch until later this summer, if he pitches at all. Friedman and the Dodgers might wait until Spring Training starts, sign Kershaw and add him to the 60-day injured list, thereby circumventing the 40-man roster limit.
Photo Credit: Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY Sports
