Dodgers’ Signings Have Pushed Kiké Hernandez Out of LA, Says ESPN Insider
The open door for Kiké Hernández returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers appears to be closing.
Instead of re-signing Hernández, the Dodgers have opted to add other utility players, as the addition of Korean free agent Hyeseong Kim has almost pushed the fan favorite out of town, according to ESPN baseball insider David Schoenfield.
“Hernandez had some nice moments for the Dodgers in the postseason, but his OPS+ over the past three seasons is just 78, and their signing of Hyeseong Kim pushes him out of L.A,” Schoenfield wrote.
Hernández played in 126 games for the Dodgers in 2024, covering every position except right field and catcher. He even took the mound for 4.1 innings.
His regular season stats are nothing to brag about but his postseason performance has been legendary. While Hernández would love to keep playing in October with the Dodgers, his regular season play doesn’t exactly warrant a return.
Dodgers insider Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register, in an appearance on Dodgers Territory, said he isn’t hearing much from the team regarding Hernández.
“I’m not hearing much from the Dodgers at all,” Plunkett said. “Take that to mean whatever you want. I don’t see a need. The roster is pretty full. I don’t know who you would bounce off to make room.”
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The new developments are a far cry from what ESPN’s Buster Olney told Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain.
“The season is so long,” Olney told McKain. “I think that if you’re a fan and you look at the players and you tune into one game and you imagine them having the same intensity that you did when you played little league, it’s not that way.”
Hernández has a unique role with the Dodgers, filling in across the diamond but not starting every day. His value, however, goes beyond his on-field versatility. He brings an unmatched energy to the clubhouse, providing a crucial spark through the ups and downs of the season.
“This is their daily job and they go through ups and downs like the rest of us do where some days you’re really into it and some days you’re not really into it,” Olney said.
While Hernández is eager to continue playing in Los Angeles, his future remains unclear as the Dodgers finalize their roster ahead of spring training.
More news: Former Dodgers All-Star Max Scherzer Signing With Blue Jays
Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
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Don’t be surprised if the Dodgers find a way to get him on the team.
Remember, it’s not the regular season that the Dodgers are concerned about.
Like was mentioned, the guy brings and unmatched energy. That goes beyond the stats. And the Dodgers brass has proven they look beyond the stats. They look at the individuals. Not pursuing Soto I think proves that.
Bring him back, drop a different player. All the pieces are needed to win it all, and Kike is one of them.
They need to unload Taylor and re-sign Kike. Send Taylor and $12M somewhere and sign Kike for $5M. Taylor is owed $17M so the money would be a wash.
Bring him back.
Hope that the front office is reading this..Bring Kike back. He’s a popular draw. I’d rather see him than Ohtani..
If the Dodgers look at Taylor and Kike side by side. Kike wins hands down. That’s where the Dodgers make room or him to remain in LA.
Of course Kike should be back, that’s obvious enough. So the trick is going to be whose roster spot does he take?
Dodgers need to unload Taylor and sign Kike.
Personally, I’d be unhappy to see Taylor go. He’s done such a great job for us in years past, but yeah, his recent stats would indicate he’d be the one to go. I don’t think he’s done yet but if it came down to a choice, you’d have to go with Kike.
Kike singlehandedly sparked the 5th inning comeback in Game 5, He singles to lead off, breaking up Cole’s no-hitter, He avoids a force at second base when Judge drops it. If he weren’t looking at Judge closely, he wouldn’t have recovered in time to be safe. Then his hard running from second unnerved Volpe and Chisholm and he got to third safely, loading the bases with none out. If the Yanks win Game 5, all the pressure is on LA to not repeat what happened to the Yankees at the Red Sox’ hands in 2004. You’d have to be stupid to let Hernandez go over dough.
YES! ALL of this & more. Kike is the sparkplug for our team time and time again. He belongs with the Dodgers.
With all the Money the Dodger Organization has spent, what would Kike’s minimal Contract mean to the Finances of the Dodgers. Kike is a Fan Favorite, He plays a variety of Positions and he brings Passion to the Field and the Clubhouse~~ We WANT and NEED Kike to be on the Roster by the start of Spring Training. Kike ADDS a SPARK to the Club that can not be Measured by Batting Average, or other Stats. He personifies the GRIT of the Dodgers. Bring the Man BACK for 2025, and he will help to make it TWO in a ROW World Series Wins for the Boys in Blue!!
I don’t believe that it’s a choice between Kike and Taylor. I think the choice is Kike or Dalton Rushing. Unless the Dodgers are able to find someone to take Taylor, I think that the Dodgers have to keep Rushing on the roster. However, it might come down to the situation that they keep Kike and Taylor on the 26 man roster and send Kim to OKC. Give Dalton his deserved chance !!!!!!!!
Dodgers can get 2 Kikes for the price of one Taylor.