Teoscar Hernández Calls Move to Dodgers ‘One of the Best Decisions’ He’s Made
Teoscar Hernández took a risk by signing a one-year, $23.5 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The outfielder deferred $8.5 million of his salary, making a portion of his money contingent on performing well.
As the Dodgers play their final game of the season Sunday and prepare for Game 1 of the NLDS, Hernández believes he couldn’t have made a better decision coming to Los Angeles.
After the 2023 season, Hernández hoped to receive multi-year offers from teams. The offers never came to fruition and the outfielder took a chance by joining the Dodgers.
Now at the end of the regular season, Hernández couldn’t be happier with his risky move.
“That was one of the best decisions I made in the offseason,” Hernández told The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya. “Everybody was saying it was a bad deal because it was a one-year deal, but for me what is important is to get better and win. I’m glad that I’m here.”
The fan favorite has already said that he wants to stay with the club for several years. Bob Nightengale of USA Today believes Hernández could receive a considerable offer from the Dodgers.
“I don’t see why not, a five-year deal for over $100 million,” Nightengale told Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain. Everybody’s looking for guys who can slug and he’s one of them. He’s proven it. Seattle messed up by not giving him the qualifying offer. I think the Dodgers will kind of set a price, just like they did with other guys whether it’s (Corey) Seager or somebody else. ‘We’re willing to go to this, if (the contract demand) is higher than that we’ll look elsewhere.’ He fit in nicely. They love the job he’s done. It’s hard to find those guys. Why not bring him back?”
Hernández is slated to be one of the most popular free agents to hit the market in the offseason. Although he is a fan favorite, it’s possible the Dodgers could let go of him. Several fan favorites have parted ways with the Dodgers before. Enter Cody Bellinger, Corey Seager, and Justin Turner.
Nevertheless, the looming contract is an offseason concern. The Dodgers are focused on making a deep playoff run with the current roster.
Only time will tell if the Dodgers get the storybook ending fans were hoping for.
Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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