The Red Sox have agreed to a minor league contract with outfielder Gorkys Hernandez, Alex Speier of the Boston Globe reports. Hernandez would earn $1MM in the majors, Speier adds.
The 31-year-old Hernandez spent the past three seasons in San Francisco, where he amassed a particularly high number of plate appearances from 2017-18. After going without a home run in 348 trips to the plate two years ago, the right-handed Hernandez exploded for 15 in 451 PAs last season. However, Hernandez still offered below-average overall production, batting .234/.295/.357 (83 wRC+). In all, he’s just a .234/.295/.357 hitter (77 wRC+) in 1,034 major league PAs, though he has stolen 20 bases – including eight in 2018.
While Hernandez doesn’t pose much of a threat at the plate, he is capable of lining up at all three outfield positions. Most of Hernandez’s work has come in center field, where he has totaled minus-10 Defensive Runs Saved and a minus-0.6 Ultimate Zone Rating in 1,389 innings. Despite his versatility, Hernandez is facing an uphill climb to crack his new club’s roster, given the presences of outfielders Mookie Betts, Andrew Benintendi, Jackie Bradley Jr. and J.D. Martinez. Bradley’s name has come up in trade rumors, however, and if he’s dealt, it could increase Hernandez’s chances of making the team.
benintendiimpersonator
Does this mean they’re attempting to move JBJ or something? Idk what’s going on y’all
milkman
Gorkys would be a severe downgrade from JBJ
benintendiimpersonator
I guess I don’t know the game of baseball
Balk
I see Gork as a depth piece. Good yard for him too. Glad for Gork. Good pick up
oldleftylong
Moneyball.
imgman09
I say yes,the price of a WS?trade JBJ and fill in some holes from Free Agency + more FA’s next year to possibly pay
Jeff Zanghi
This has to be seen as a possible precursor to a JBJ trade… not sure I’m liking where things are headed trying to “cut payroll” unless they land a solid RP or something for JBJ I think it’s risky trying to blatantly dump salary by dealing off key pieces of the roster.
Don’t get me wrong I don’t think JBJ is some sort of phenom… but JD Martinez in the OF and Pearce/fill-in-the-blank at DH is a risky proposition defensively and for the continued good health of Martinez. Who know’s maybe this is totally just an ‘innocent depth signing’ but given the rumors swirling today about the Sox trying to dump salary – it has to make you wonder.
WestCoastSoxFan
IF they trade JBJ(and that’s a big “if”), they would still have plenty of time to replace him this Winter. There are plenty of decent corner OF’s out there. But, JDM and Pearce could certainly do the job if needed, as well. Maybe it’s the right time to sell high on JBJ? We’ll see…..
Bert17
It’s just for depth. Sox have no outfielders on their 40 man roster other than the major league starters, JD, Pierce (in a pinch), and all the utility guys who can play all over. The only major league worthy AAA outfielder they have is Rusney Castillo, the one guy they will never call up because even if they outright him off the roster again after he covers for somebody’s DL stint, they couldn’t clear his salary from their luxury tax calculation.
Syndergaarden Cop
2 days in, winter meetings a joke
PickleRiccck
This just in: Tampa Bay Rays sign Bartolo Colon 1 year, $1 million. Yankees sign Bryce Harper, convinced by Boarass to a 15 year $475 million contract. Yankees decide contract won’t fit into payroll trade Harper to Rays for Bartolo Colon.
Now that would be a joke.
bobtillman
Never would happen. Colon’s contract from the Rays would be 700K and all the trips to “Rocco’s Ball-Deli” he could make……
Oh, wait a minute……
Harry pness
We should all pitch in to get xabial some tv time at the winter meetings. Him, Harold Reynolds and Greg amsinger is what the people want
Barry McCockiner
Good night sweet prince
luclusciano
Harry, do you continue to dream about Xabial when you sleep? I think I see his name more in your posts then I see him posting. I feel like there was a time you used to add value to the conversation. Maybe?
xabial
Harry is now gone and my suspicions is now, Barry
eyoung11
These are the big huge deals i love to see. F’in right Dombrowski
Roger_Dorn
Dorkys Hernandez is the cure to all that ails your team.
Ted
I vaguely remember the Braves trading Renteria for this guy and Jurrjens. Feels like a lifetime ago for a fellow who’s only 31 now.
dirtyd27
Jair Jurrjens… now that’s a name I haven’t heard in a very long time
Barry McCockiner
Nostalgia. Looked him up and surprised to see he’s in independent ball at the age of 32. Lifetime War of 3.5
PsychoTim
I was just talking with a friend about how Berman’s shtick got old after awhile but compared to all the shouting heads these we sort of miss him. So that said:
The Red Sox sign Gorkys “Park” Hernandez.
soxfan1
Just a depth move
kylewait89
You need guys who’ve played in the majors lurking in the minors. Sometimes you hit big on them and sometimes you don’t. If he makes 1M this year, he will earn it
Ariadna Hernández
Yayyyy… gorkys great decision