The Dodgers Maintain Team Harmony by Re-Signing Teoscar Hernández
The Los Angeles Dodgers are making efforts to maintain their squad's cohesion by re-signing Teoscar Hernandez. Following their securing of their second World Series title in five years, and with the announcement that MVP Mookie Betts will be shifting back to the infield, the Dodgers had a few vacancies in their outfield. The most apparent solution appeared to be a favorite player of the club, a powerful hitter who smashed 33 home runs for Los Angeles in the previous season, a leader who contributed significantly to their victory.
Eventually, on a late Friday night, Jon Heyman stated that Hernandez and the Dodgers had agreed on a three-year, $66 million contract, with a $15 million club option for 2028.
During the previous season, Hernandez inked a one-year, $23.5 million contract with Los Angeles, with $8.5 million delayed until the following decade. According to numerous sources, Hernandez was seeking a four-year contract, but opted for an additional season with a club option for an appropriate amount of money and desired teammates.
As mentioned by Sonja Chen of MLB.com, Hernandez posted "I'm back" on his Instagram story right before news of the deal became public.
Hernandez immediately adapted to Los Angeles after previously playing for Seattle and Toronto, slugging six home runs during his first month with the Dodgers, before then slowing down slightly in July, where he produced just four home runs. In all, Hernandez took part in 154 games, batting .272/.340/.501, equating to a 137 OPS+ (he was 37% better than the average player), and earning 4.3 bWAR. Considering the Dodgers only paid him $15 million in cash, the savings were even more substantial.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Hernandez’s new deal includes a $23 million signing bonus, which will counterbalance the $23 million in additional deferred money.
Before the off-season, MLB Trade Rumors projected Hernandez would secure a 3/60M contract. His agreement with the Dodgers is slightly above this, but when accounting for the deferment, it will lower the net present value below $20 million per season. For competitive balance tax purposes, Los Angeles will incur a $22 million assessment per year. However, according to MLB Trade Rumors, "the specific payout structure, which hasn't been completely disclosed, will influence how MLB evaluates the contract for tax purposes."
Hernandez returns to his previous spot in the four-hole in the Dodgers lineup, between left-handed hitters Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy, and will anchor left field beside Tommy Edman in center, and the newly-acquired Michael Conforto in right. The Dodgers never cease to innovate, continually striving to improve, and once they locate a player they click with, one who is beneficial both on and off the field, one who executed a game-saving throw in Game 4 of the World Series, they lock him down on a deal that benefits both the player and the team. The re-signing of Teoscar Hernandez with the Dodgers was the most logical and advantageous move of the off-season.
Teoscar Hernandez's new contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers includes an additional season with a club option, which he accepted instead of a four-year deal. Jeff Passan from ESPN reported that Hernandez's agreement includes a $23 million signing bonus, which will balance out the $23 million in deferred money. With this deal, Hernandez returns to his previous spot in the four-hole in the Dodgers lineup, joining Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy.
