Juan Soto is formally off the board after signing a record-setting contract with the New York Mets on Sunday night time. Now, all the eye shifts to the remainder of the outfield market, with Los Angeles Dodgers free agent Teoscar Hernández on the prime.
The Dodgers, Boston Purple Sox, and New York Yankees had been identified to be within the combine, as Dodgers Nation reported on Sunday. Now, in keeping with Bob Nightengale of USA As we speak Sports activities, the Toronto Blue Jays have emerged as one other staff within the left fielder.
Hernández has made it clear all alongside that he desires to stay in Los Angeles — however for some cause, the Dodgers are usually not but able to finalize it. In line with an earlier report from Dodgers Nation’s Noah Camras and Doug McKain, the Dodgers are “shut” to a brand new contract with Hernández however the hold-up is on the Dodgers’ finish — not from Hernández’s camp.
After posting a .283/.333/.519 line with the Blue Jays from 2020 to 2022, Hernández was traded to the Seattle Mariners earlier than the 2023 season. He went on to hit .258/.305/.435. Seattle allowed him to check free company with out extending a qualifying supply, and Hernández remained unsigned till January. He did obtain a two-year, $28 million supply from the Boston Purple Sox however opted to take a one-year, $23.5 million take care of the Dodgers, which included deferrals, selecting to wager on himself.
Hernández loved a breakout season in his first 12 months with the Dodgers after taking a one-year contract final offseason to spice up his worth and enhance his probabilities of securing a multiyear deal in free company.
The gamble on himself paid off.
Hernández had a career-best 12 months, posting a .272/.339/.501 slash line with 33 house runs and 99 runs batted in. He earned a spot in his second All-Star Recreation, received the Residence Run Derby, and performed a key position within the Dodgers’ World Collection run.
Now one of many prime outfielders out there, Hernández is primed to land the long-term contract he’s looking for. Whereas the Dodgers stay the frontrunners, their delay in securing him may open the door for different suitors with cash to spend now that Soto is not an choice.
Learn extra: What I’m Listening to on Teoscar Hernandez’s Free Company: Dodgers Favorites However Have Competitors
Photograph Credit score: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports activities
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