Dodgers News: National MLB Writer Predicts Huge Contract For Teoscar Hernández
Is Teoscar Hernández bound to cash in this offseason?
The Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder has emerged as one of the Dodgers’ most valuable additions this season, even amidst an offseason in which the Dodgers spent over a billion on stars including Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow. He also came at a bargain price — the Dodgers signed Hernandez on just a one-year, $23.5 million contract.
This one-year deal does mean that Hernández is set to become a free agent after the 2024 season comes to an end. After a season in which he hit .269 and made his second MLB All-Star Game, Hernandez is a prime candidate to earn an extension.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today told Doug McKain of Dodgers Nation he believes that Hernández is in for a huge payday in free agency this offseason.
“I don’t see why not, a five-year deal for over $100 million,” Nightengale told McKain. “Everybody’s looking for guys who can slug and he’s one of them. He’s proven it. Seattle messed up by not giving him the qualifying offer. I think the Dodgers will kind of set a price, just like they did with other guys whether it’s (Corey) Seager or somebody else. ‘We’re willing to go to this, if (the contract demand) is higher than that we’ll look elsewhere.’ He fit in nicely. They love the job he’s done. It’s hard to find those guys. Why not bring him back?”
The question will of course be whether Hernández signs that deserved extension with the Dodgers, or a different team. Hernández has remained clear that he wants to stay with the Dodgers, but knows the decision is not fully up to him.
“I want to stay,” Hernández said earlier this month, via Doug McKain. “I think everybody knows it. I want to be a part of this team for 3,4,5 years to come, but it’s not in my hands. It has to do with the Dodgers. It’s in their hands. I’m just trying to do my best.”
Overall, Hernández has slashed .269/.335/.493 with 150 hits, 81 runs, 30 home runs, and 92 RBIs. He has recorded his second season with 30 home runs and is within two home runs of his career-high.
Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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Teoscar said, ““I think everybody knows it. I want to be a part of this team for 3,4,5 years to come, but it’s not in my hands. It has to do with the Dodgers. It’s in their hands. I’m just trying to do my best.”
It is in your hands Teo. The Dodgers are going to have to bring in a front-line pitcher (Corbin Burnes) and pay Jack Flarhety or lose him. They will shed some payroll but not enough to make a difference. They will pay you nicely but it will be up to you to stay or go because I doubt the Dodgers will get in a bidding war for your services. You say you like playing here… Then prove it! We want you to stay but do you want us? That is the big question.
Right On!
Why am I being Blocked?
I want the Dodgers to sign Adames Left handed Closer. And most of all trade Chris Taylor he has gotten worse each year of that extension trade a prospect and dump him. We also need more veteran depth in our starting pitching. Trade for Tyler Anderson he has 1 year left on his deal and the Angels are circling the drain. He was great with the Dodgers and never wanted to leave in the first place. Keep the young pitching as depth but not as reliable consideration. I love the Dodgers and we need a 162 Championship as I keep hearing clowns say 2020 wasn’t legit. LETS GO !!
The people who claim 2020 was not a real championship are true clowns. Had to win more playoff games than ever before to take that title. Any of the other 29 teams would be thrilled to have the 2020 World Series Trophy.
Agreed. 29 teams AND their fans would all be celebrating it. Everyone played by the same exact rules. And they’re all 100% liars if they say otherwise.
Also, same clowns are the ones who have normalized or legitimized Houston Astr*s cheating at every single home game, regular season and playoffs, in 2017. We beat Verlander at the top of his game in LA in game 6. Look at stats for Kershaw in game 5. Over 50 breaking balls thrown and not a single swing by any hitter in their lineup. Not a single swing. The odds on that happening, especially as nasty and as much movement he had then, are not just improbable, but they are impossible. Game 5 was in Houston.
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He is 31 years old. Maor league position players, on average, are at their peak at ages 27-32, historically, but sluggers have tended to retain value a little longer than that in recent times. He has been very good and is likely to be good for another year or two before he may start to decline, so a contract for 3-4 years would be OK for the Dodgers. He has been healthy, he has played more games than almost anyone else. Good character, good teammate. No scandals. Chases too many pitches low and outside. Strikes out too often. If they could replace him with Soto, that would be an improvement. If they sign Soto, the only way to keep Teoscar is to move him to right field and play Betts again in the infield. He could platoon a little with Dalton Rushing in left field, since Teoscar hits left handers so much better than he hits right handers, with Rushing giving Will Smith 2 days off per week at catcher instead of 1 day off per week. Rushing could reprise the role of Yogi Berra, catching and playing left field. They need to find out whether Rushing can play left field adequately, Unfortunately, although they have up to 15 potential starting pitchers, they may have to sign a free agent starting pitcher.
Teo. He’s a keeper as they say. Yes, Soto would be a great addition but, what baggage does he bring? We get too many large egos in the locker room and you will have trouble brewing. Maybe. I am in favor of keeping our team intact and focusing on the pitching staff. We have far too many what ifs than we do answers. The entire staff is in dire need of physical rehabilitation and conditioning. I would put them all on a diet and a specific schedule throughout fall and winter.