ESPN insider predicts Teoscar Hernandez will sign a multi-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays.
ESPN insider David Schoenfield predicts Teoscar Hernandez to re-sign with his former team this offseason. But that team is not the Dodgers. Via Sam Garcia of Dodgers Nation.
While Schoenfield listed the Dodgers as a potential landing spot for Hernández, he predicted the three-time Silver Slugger to ultimately sign with the Toronto Blue Jays
Schoenfield predicted a three-year, $66 million contract for Hernández.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports that Hernandez is looking for a three year deal that will guarantee him $22-24 Million range annually.
At the start of the offseason, there seemed to be an assumption Hernandez would return to the Dodgers after he made such a huge impact both on the field and in the clubhouse, but the two sides are reportedly far apart.
The Dodgers and Hernandez's camp have not been unable to get a contract done due to the AVV and term.
According to Schoenfield the Toronto Blue Jays are the next logical choice.
I suspect that bringing back Teoscar Hernandez for a reunion with the Blue Jays, may be part of the equation when it comes to signing Vladimir Guerrero Jr to a $500+ Million massive extension, which seems to be in the works according to Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic.
I mean Hernandez and Guerrero Jr are best friends who work out together in the off season and thrive together in the clubhouse and on the field.
I suspect the defensive concerns do make a multi-year reunion with the Blue Jays a potentially problematic pairing for Ross Atkins's defense first thought process, however most fans would agree that offense is what the Jays need to compete in the AL East in 2025.
Hernandez turned in a .272/.339/.501 slash with a career-high 33 home runs last season before going on to hit .250/.352/.417 in postseason play with the Dodgers.
His 28.8% strikeout rate was an improvement over his 31.1% mark from 2023 but still sat about six percentage points higher than league average.
His 8.1% walk rate was the second-best of his career but fell right in line with the 8.2% league average.
At this point, the Blue Jays can expect plus power, a below-average walk rate and more strikeouts than they'd prefer from Hernandez, but his knack for performing under pressure and in the big moment under the lights make him a very desirable free agent for any team.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 21 | 363 ANSWERS ESPN insider predicts Teoscar Hernandez will sign a multi-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. Will Teoscar Hernandez sign with the Dodgers or Blue Jays? | ||
| Dodgers | 56 | 15.4 % |
| Blue Jays | 252 | 69.4 % |
| Other team | 55 | 15.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
