Kikè Hernàndez May Reportedly Prefer to Return to the Dodgers
Former Dodgers utilityman Kikè Hernàndez still has not signed this offseason. The super utilityman remains a free agent after spending the last three years with the Boston Red Sox.
In a recent report by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Hernández has garnered interest from other teams. However, he may prefer to return to Los Angeles in 2024.
“The Angels continue to show interest in free agent Kiké Hernández, but fear he prefers a return to the Dodgers, according to a source briefed on the team’s discussions.”
Ken Rosenthal – The Athletic
The Dodgers acquired Hernández in a trade with the Miami Marlins before the 2015 season. He spent the next six years in L.A. playing all over the field and dancing in the dugout.
A fan-favorite, Hernàndez helped the Dodgers win the 2020 World Series. The next year, the Red Sox signed him to a two-year $14 million deal. He received an additional one-year $10 million from the Red Sox in 2023 but would get traded at the deadline.
After struggling in Boston in 2023, he quickly found his footing back in Los Angeles. He finished the year with a.731 OPS in 54 games and five home runs.
Unfortunately, a continued reunion might not come to pass this time around. As our own, Noah Camras mentions, the Dodgers have their position players already.
They could try to move Miguel Rojas or Manuel Margot. Unless they are willing to eat significant portions, neither Rojas nor Margot will have much trade value.
Also, while not known for his offense, Rojas provides tremendous value as a defensive replacement at shortstop – a position where Hernàndez struggles.
Possibly the front office will find a way to bring back Hernàndez this offseason. If not, he’ll always be remembered for dislocating Cody Bellinger’s shoulder in the National League Championship Series.
Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
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He is more versatile than Rojas. HE can play all positions except catcher, and even then he could be the emergency catcher.
He is a better hitter than Rojas. He could be a credible platoon player against left-hand pitchers at several positions and Rojas cannot be that credible a platoon player. Against a left-hand starter, Margot would replace Heyward, CT3 would replace Muncy [who hit .155 against left-handers last year] and Kike could replace Lux, at least sometimes. After the left-hand starter gave up about 8 runs in the first few innings and was replaced by a right-handed relief pitcher, the original line-up would return.
The only issue is money.
Maybe some team’s shortstop gets injured in Spring Training (I recall something like that happening last year) and that team would trade a low-level but promising minor-league prospect to the Dodgers for Rojas.
Can he play catcher?
The Dodgers are already carrying one cheer leader or team “captain” if you will. That’s enough. Everyone loves Kike but he is not the help (player) that he was five years ago. I believe that if Will Smith goes down for an extended period of time that the catching position becomes a problem. Perhaps allowing one of the “young studs” to back up Will would give the young guy some major league experience before he is really needed.
Remembered for dislocating Cody’s shoulder rather than his 3 HR game in the playoffs? Please. Personally, I’d eat Margo’s salary and sign Kike. Kike is superior – albeit marginally – in every offensive stat and he’s more valuable for his defensive flexibility.
What a snide comment to make. “He’ll be remembered for dislocating Cody’s shoulder”…. First you guys inaccurately break the Shohei news and now taking digs at a player? Smh! Kike to me will always be remembered as a team guy and you know the 3 Homeruns to get us our first pennant in 2017 since 1988.