Kiké Hernández returned to the Dodgers on a one-year, $4 million contract on Monday, however the group first needed to commerce outfielder Manuel Margot to clear room between the roster spots. The latter was one thing the Dodgers have been engaged on for the previous few months.
Margot got here to the Dodgers from the Rays on December 16 as a part of the Tyler Glasnow commerce. When Margot was dealt to the Twins on Monday, Juan Toribio at MLB.com reported that the Dodgers had been in talks with the Purple Sox about bringing an outdated good friend to Los Angeles:
Sooner or later within the offseason, the Dodgers engaged with the Purple Sox for a attainable commerce that may have despatched Margot to Boston in change for Dodgers nearer Kenley Jansen. These talks by no means progressed past the preliminary phases and fell aside pretty shortly within the course of, sources instructed MLB.com.
In an interview with Foul Territory on Thursday, Hernández mentioned he was near returning to the Dodgers earlier within the offseason.
“I believed I had a deal finished on the spot [the Dodgers] a couple of month in the past. Clearly they wanted to maneuver Margot so they may signal.” Hernandez said. I feel there was a commerce within the place, and it fell by evening. I went to mattress considering we had a deal, and wakened unemployed once more.
It's unclear if that potential commerce floated a month in the past was a Kenley Jansen-for-Margot swap, although that appears unlikely given Toribio's report of that dialog by no means gained a lot traction.
Regardless of the case, Hernández was nonetheless a free agent getting into this week, and he was keen, with spring coaching camps already open throughout the game. Hernández instructed Foul Territory that if the Dodgers couldn't make a deal by the weekend, he would transfer elsewhere.
This timeline matches what Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported on February twenty third. that Hernández was expected to sign by Sunday or Monday. Final Saturday evening, Ken Rosenthal at The Athletic reported that Hernández was on 4 groups: Giants, Padres, Angels and Twins.
Thursday, Hernández said he was actually at the Dodgers or Yankeesbut in addition detailed his free company course of, which he described as “sketchy” at one level.
“Actually, issues didn't choose up till the final three weeks or so,” Hernández mentioned. “The Tigers had been . The Angels had been there, however they by no means actually made a suggestion. The Giants had been form of there, however in addition they waited till the top and ended up not making a suggestion.
“There have been a variety of groups that checked simply to see. They had been like, 'Hey, time goes by, and guys begin signing for actually good.' We marvel if he desires to signal for that worth, too. I saved my land and I used to be ready for the best alternative, and I used to be making an attempt to get a little bit more cash than the blokes who acquired a little bit determined on the finish.”
A few of these current free agent signings on the decrease finish of the size had been former Dodgers, together with David Peralta and Kolten Wong who signed minor league offers with the Cubs and Orioles, respectively, within the final week and a half. Amed Rosario, who like Hernández had one 12 months in 2023 however performed higher after being traded to the Dodgers within the season, signed for simply $1.5 million with the Rays on February 20.
Hernández obtained $4 million from the Dodgers, and coming off double hernia surgical procedure in October sees 2024 as a chance to get a greater deal subsequent offseason.
“For me it was all concerning the type, and the place. I feel it's a vital 12 months for me. I'm wholesome for the primary time shortly, and I get to re-establish my market after having season.” Hernández said on Foul Territory on Thursday. “I really feel like a type of gamers who performs greatest on profitable groups and when a group wins, due to what I can convey to the desk.”
Hernandez did no hit left-handed pitchers nicely in 2023, hitting simply .239/.304/.338 with a 73 wRC+, which was an aberration. He has hit southpaws exceptionally nicely in his profession, hitting .257/.343/.458 with a 115 wRC+, together with a 123 wRC+ in opposition to lefties in 2021-22, his first two seasons in Boston. That can even be his function with the Dodgers, enjoying in opposition to lefties the place they want him. Hernández began at seven positions for the Dodgers in his two months with the group.
He’ll get his first alternative to play this spring on Friday evening when the Dodgers host the Reds at Camelback Ranch.
