Dodgers Rumors: Minnesota Twins Reportedly Linked to Enrique Hernandez
The offseason hot stove continues to be slow burning for Major League Baseball. However, things may begin to percolate this week with the virtual winter meetings taking place through Thursday.
As every high-profile free agent remains on the market, some of the second two players are starting to see their names in rumors. Case in point, KSTP News-Minnesota reporter Darren Wolfson dropped the news over the weekend that the Twins have been in talks with free agent utility man Enrique Hernandez.
#MNTwins have expressed interest in Hernandez. As Peter and others have volunteered since free agency started, his fit is very clear. https://t.co/fKyAzxPKzM
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) December 5, 2020
Kiké is coming off a 6-year run with the Dodgers where he batted .240 with 68 home runs and 213 runs-batted-in over 648 games. Minnesota is coming off back to back AL Central division crowns but has lost a pair of middle infield options to free agency themselves.
Hernandez finds himself as one of several Dodgers on the open market coming off of a World Series win in 2020. In all likelihood, the utility man has played his last game for Los Angeles. The Dodgers have multiple in-house options to replace the 29-year-old and are keeping an eye on their 2021 payroll.
However, in the event that he can’t secure a near-full-time starting gig elsewhere, LA president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman left the door open for the club’s free agents. Stranger things could happen.
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NEXT: LA Times Writer Looks at Options Outside of LA for Enrique Hernandez
Kike, Joc all of the Dodger Nation wish them well. With the financial situation, I do not expect the Dodgers to spend the money to sign either of them. The Dodgers have controllable salary players they can plug into those roster spots.
I will be surprised if the Dodger re-sign Baez or Wood.
If I were a young free agent this year signing with a club for one year might be a great idea as the outlook for 2022 should be much improved.
Kike is a great clubhouse guy, a plus defender, and a solid hitter. He would flourish if given a full-time position.
I really don’t want to see Kike go but, the Twins are a very good organization and they are knocking on the World Series Championship door. I believe both he and Joc would excel in the Twin Cities.
As long as Joc or Kike don’t wear a Giants or Yankees uniform i’m OK
Don’t forget the a$$tros as well
Or Cardinals.
Or a Houston uniform!!!
Please take this 230 hitter off the dodgers Roster. Overrated at best.
The Twins need a new super utility player since they found out Marwin Gonzalez doesn’t hit so well when he doesn’t know what pitch is coming.
I am not too sure that any current FA this off season would make the Astros their first place to sign. Many clubs also are undoubtedly waiting on the DH verdict for the NL. And truth be told it would be too much of a risk for most NL pitchers to have to swing a bat after completely not doing so at all for over a year now.
All these talks are interesting both JT and Kiké contribution to the Dodgers’ WS win and prior successes but the Dodgers must make moves that will make the Dodgers better against the young and upcoming Padres and the improving Giants in the NL West.
The effect of losing both JT and Kiké and others are sure to follow will leave an emotional void in the clubhouse as well as the leadership and camaraderie the glue that held the team together in the stretch run for the playoffs and WS.
In sports as in life, the ebbs and flows of life go on as a bird leaves the nest or a loved one leaves the home for the first time leaving a void in our heart. The ebbs and flows of life cannot be stopped nor slowed, one can only appreciate and cherish the moments while we can and embrace the future for whatever it may bring. Embrace your brothers/sisters and comrades while you can and build fond memories.
Whatever the future brings JT and Kiké the memories of 2020 drive to win the WS will endure, as The Bulldog and The Dodgers of the 1987 WS team.