Kiké Hernandez’s Leadership Was The Most Impressive Dodgers’ Andrew Friedman Has Ever Seen
Los Angeles Dodgers utility man Kiké Hernández was the missing piece to the team’s 2025 puzzle entering spring training.
The front office wanted him back, Hernández wanted to be back, but it took some rearranging to get the deal done.
In fact, the Dodgers didn’t even have room on the 40-man roster until recently, and if that was the case, then they definitely didn’t have room for him on the depth chart.
However, the door was never shut on Hernández and he finally walked through it on Sunday.
The 33-year-old agreed to a one-year deal pending a physical.
More news: 3 Potential Trade Candidates For the Dodgers After the Kiké Hernandez Signing
In his first appearance since news broke, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman spoke about the leadership qualities Hernández displayed during the 2024 season and why it was so important to not let him sign elsewhere.
“Obviously the impact he has made in October on-field, it was obvious,” Friedman said on Dodgers Territory. “Off-field, this past October may have been the most impressive displays of leadership I’ve ever seen. His connecting with different guys. Going out of his way on a number of different fronts was quite possibly the most impressive leadership I’ve ever seen.”
Hernández’s leadership is a reason why his teammates supported his return.
“Everybody’s waiting for that news to pop up, to see Kiké back as a Dodger,” Teoscar Hernández said this month. “I want Kiké to be back.”
Anthony Banda campaigned for his teammate as well saying Kiké Hernández is “definitely top three in my category as far as teammates.”
“I think everyone in L.A. wants Kiké back,” Banda said to Dodgers Nation. “He was phenomenal with me. He made a great impact on me as a player, as a friend and it was awesome to see him every single day. He brought such high energy he definitely brightened my days. I know he did that for a lot of people, too.
“I would love to see him back, Banda added. “I don’t know what’s going to happen or anything else like that but I think all of L.A. is fighting for that.”
More news: Dodgers Teammates React to Kiké Hernandez Re-Signing With LA
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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