The Dodgers have not had any in-season extension discussions with Teoscar Hernández, the slugger told reporters before tonight’s possible elimination game (X link via Fabian Ardaya of the Athletic). Hernández doesn’t seem bothered by the lack of talks, saying that he’s focused on the season and hasn’t given free agency much thought.
Hernández has had a fantastic rebound on a pillow contract. He drilled a career-high 33 home runs through 652 plate appearances. His .272/.339/.501 slash was back to the form he showed during his peak years with the Blue Jays. His middling .258/.305/.435 line with the Mariners from 2023 looks like an anomaly — one driven by his struggles at Seattle’s pitcher-friendly home park.
That down year with the Mariners dealt a huge hit to Hernández’s market a year ago. He clearly didn’t find a multi-year deal that was to his liking. He disclosed the terms of one offer he received, telling Rob Bradford of WEEI in July that the Red Sox had proposed a two-year, $28MM deal. Hernández wasn’t interested in locking in multiple seasons at a diminished $14MM average annual value. He signed with Los Angeles for a total of $23.5MM, though he only collected $15MM this year. The remaining $8.5MM will be paid in 10 installments between 2030-39.
Hernández’s bet on himself paid off. He’ll return to free agency in a better position than he was last season. The Dodgers can make him a qualifying offer. He’d very likely decline that $21MM+ salary in search of a long-term deal. Hernández turns 32 next month, so he’ll probably be limited to three or at most four years. That could come at something like the $20MM average annual value which players like Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos received as free agents. Hernández is probably the third-best outfielder in the class behind Juan Soto and Anthony Santander.
[Related: Previewing The 2024-25 Corner Outfield Class]
Gives Hernández’s productivity, it stands to reason the Dodgers will make some effort to retain the two-time All-Star whenever the season concludes. They could balk at paying market price on a multi-year deal running into his mid-30s, though. Shohei Ohtani’s presence means the Dodgers would need to commit to playing Hernández in left field for the entirety of the contract. L.A. moved Mookie Betts back to right field when he returned from injury in early August. They’ve used deadline pickup Tommy Edman as their primary center fielder.
They’ll want to keep a long-term outfield spot available for Andy Pages. The 23-year-old played mostly center field as a rookie. Prospect evaluators have generally projected Pages to a corner, which is supported by the middling defensive grades (-8 Defensive Runs Saved, -1 Outs Above Average) he posted in center. The Dodgers have toyed with playing top catching prospect Dalton Rushing more frequently in left field. Barring an injury to Will Smith, there’s no path to regular playing time for Rushing behind the plate in Los Angeles.
Tonight will be his last game with the Dodgers
It will, but he’s earned himself a nice little payday elsewhere. It wouldn’t shock me if Toronto brought him back.
It would shock me.
That would require Toronto management tacitly admitting it was a mistake dumping him in the first place.
they would also need to admit that the offense is garbage. but judging from their recent press releases, they think the offense is fine.
I’ve noticed that. Most people shrugging off Bichette’s season as a one off. They don’t have much choice with his trade value down at the moment, but to naively claim the offense is fine isn’t going to just make it fine.
Misty eyes
Teoscar will not be back with the Dodgers next year. They are better off using the money to sign one or two starting pitchers. Rushing and Freeland will be ready by mid-season.
But tonight is unlikely to be his last game with the Dodgers. At this point the series with the Padres is back to 50-50. I doubt Darvish or King will be ready to pitch many innings in game 5. And I like the Dodgers or Padres over the Mets.
It’s the dodgers. He can easily get that contract in LA
Misty
How’s that working out for you so far?
Hey Mojo, we’re getting more baseball! 5 games > 4 games.
Ohtani is still striking out to end their season
you are an idiot
Hi Misty. 🙂
San Diego choked but at least Ohtani didn’t do anything productive
stick with that MIsty. It makes you look really smart.
Yea Ohtani didn’t hit a 3 run HR to tie up game 1 or anything.
*tomorrow or the next day because Dylan cease cannot pitch on short rest
Nope at least one more
This comment didn’t age well.
This aged well.
@misty – aww. You were so wrong. Sad.
No extension talks because odds are slim he’ll be back next season. With Pages, Edman and Betts (plus Taylor and Outman) the Dodgers have their OF for next season
Outman should be dealt. No way he will match Tao’s output next year or probably ever. He’ll fetch a pitching prospect. There is no one on the major league roster or minors that can match his output, including Pages and Rushing. I believe the Dodgers will have to choose between Kike and Taylor for who stays in a reserve role. Edman and Rojas can adequately man shortstop. LA has so many pitchers that will/should be healthy by Spring, but I agree that they still need a top of the rotation starter. Because if the pitching debacle, I still see them having to line up Brinks trucks for FA pitchers. But to let Tao walk, particularly when he wants to be on the club, harms the offense.
Selling low on Outman already? A bit early. He’d have to be packaged with other to get a decent haul. I’d still give him an opportunity to prove himself.
Dodgers 32 – agree with most of the post, with the exception of Dodgers choosing between Kike and Taylor. Taylor is finishing up his second terrible tear in a row. Kike has had a decent regular season and has put on his Mr. October batting glove, as usual.
Teoscar been really good for the Dodgers but I’m pretty sure they’ll be more focused on pitching.
Hernandez could be a good “get”(on a 3/$75M) for a power-needy team that doesn’t want to pony up for what Pete Alonso will be (over)asking.
Mariners could’ve used his bat this season. Their offense was downright anemic most of the year.
Except his performance this year wouldn’t have been what it was if he was still in Seattle. He likely would have had another slightly above average season again.
Yup. He got more pitches to hit this year than he did since 2021 when Bichette and Vlad had those huge years in front of him. In Seattle, he got nothing but nibble breaking balls because nobody was ever on base, and nobody is afraid of Dylan Moore behind him
He’s on record that T-Mobile messed with his hitting. No way he’s coming to Seattle unless he get traded to the Mariners some time down the line.
Agreed. Glad to see he can still hit but sure was a huge disappointment in Seattle. He made some claim about the batter’s eye being a distraction or not being lined up true to home plate. Whatever bro…
I am guessing they just might have other important priorities at the moment.
why would he worry he’s about to get the bag
Dudes a bum
Hey everyone! The low IQ guys have joined the chat. Welcome lowtalker!
Why would they extend him? He had a career year. Hate to say it, but the doyers know when to cut bait better than any team.
“Know when to cut bait”..One of the central rules of good baseball management is “don’t fall in love with players” and yes the Dodgers are quite good at following this very important rule.
Mmm kinda ever hear of Pedro Martinez, Mike Piazza, Adrian Beltre, Corey Seager, Yordan Alvarez. All those were either not resigned or traded away. At least 3 hall of famers.
Teo had a career year but I think LAD have other priorities this winter UNLESS Teo accepts a short contract which is doubtful.
He’s had multiple years better than this year
Career high in HR and SB. 2nd highest RBI total. He. Had a couple of higher BA but he still hit over .270. Anyway. It was a good year.
You guys always think everybody is going to get a contract when who is out there offering big money? It’s like the narrative that Max Fried is going to be a Dodger. They shot their shot on Admiral Yamamoto, whose battleships keep getting sunk. The luxury tax is harsh, but it works. So yeah, Hernández probably deserves 3/75 but teams aren’t bidding against themselves. How many teams can afford 3/75?
I predict 3 for 50.
1 year 25M
4 for 80, slugging outfielders are hard to find
You totally lost the plot
Dodgers and these deferments…
Bobby Bonilla, Bruce Sutter, Ken Griffey Jr, Chris Davis…many many others. determents have been a part of MLB contracts for decades. Do some research.
Those are players scattered from different eras .The Dodgers have multiple contracts with lengthy deferments. Tough guy.
“different eras”
that was my point. deferments are nothing new. thanks for restating it.
current contracts with large deferrals: Rafael Devers, Chris Sale, Francisco Lindor, Ohtani, Betts, Freeman, Christian Yelich, Edwin Diaz, JT Realmuto, Nolen Arenado., Patrick Corbin, Stephen Strasburg. spotrac.com/news/_/id/2092/detailing-active-mlb-de…
He’d fit in well with the tigers
Wow the Dodgers even turned a 1 year deal into a 10 year deal lmao. Those late 2030s pay obligations are going to be astronomical at this rate.
Pay heem. Pay dat myan hees
mah-ney.
Love his bat, but his lack of effort on defense is worrisome….
Id take him in LF over Chris Taylor any day.. Dodgers just need to cut bait with that guy.