Kiké Hernández ‘More Open Than 2020’ to Return to Dodgers in Free Agency
While the Dodgers scope the market to upgrade their roster, they do have a few in-house options that they need to decide about as well. One of those is utilityman Kiké Hernandez, who will be a free agent this winter.
LA acquired him at the trade deadline from the Boston Red Sox, and he looked like a completely different player once rejoining the Dodgers. He seemed energized and like he had something to prove in the second half.
Now entering free agent once again, Hernandez appeared on the show Foul Territory and he expressed that he is much more open to returning to the Dodgers this offseason than he was in 2020.
“Yeah, definitely. I’m definitely more open than I was in ’20. In ’20 it was a for sure no, because I was looking for an opportunity to play every day. The roster was a little different. I think the roster was a little deeper back then, so it was harder for me to get consistent at-bats. I went there this year not thinking I was going to play as much as I did. Just like the last time, it’s going to be all about fit and the right place. These are things that are not easy to take into consideration, especially now with a kid. We’ll see. I’m not opposed to coming back but I’m also not closing doors on 29 other teams.”
Per Kiké Hernandez via Foul Territory
The veteran utilityman seemed very comfortable back with the Dodgers this season after he was acquired at the deadline. He looked more like himself, and he likely didn’t want to lose that feeling.
Hernandez also likely was happy to be with a team that was competing for a World Series, and that alone can make any player perform at a higher level. He understands what it means to be away from that thought, so he isn’t taking it for granted anymore.
He has already gone through the free agency process, and now he knows what it feels like. He provided some insight into everything that he dealt with years ago.
“At least I got to experience it already once. Day 1 of free agency, like half the league called. I was like, ‘Oh, this is going to be great. I’m going to get $300 million.’ And then down to the wire, there was only like four teams that had legit interest. At the end of the day, one more team made an offer but it wasn’t an official offer, so at the end of the day just the Red Sox offered me a contract. So at least I know what to expect and I’m not going to be bugging my agent every single day.”
Per Kiké Hernandez via Foul Territory
While it remains to be seen if he will return next season, there is some hope for a reunion. He was a valuable member of this team down the stretch of the year, and they could use his versatility going forward as well.
Photo Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
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