3 Teams In The Running For Free Agent Teoscar Hernandez

 Teoscar Hernandez had a tremendous renaissance season with the LA Dodgers in 2024, putting the 32-year-old in line for a nice three-year deal in free agency this winter. He slashed .272/.339/.501 with an .840 OPS, along with a career-high 33 homers (plus, as a bonus, winning the HR Derby).

He's looking for a deal that averages $22-24m AAV (similar to the one-year, $23M deal he signed with Dodgers last year).

His market is hot, now that Juan Soto is off the board. Let's have a look at the three teams that, by all accounts, seem to be the frontrunners to sign Teo.

Los Angeles Dodgers

This one is obvious. He had a great season in LA, and was a big factor in helping them to win a World Series. And while manager Dave Roberts says “I pray, everyone say your prayers that we get Teo done," it sounds like there is a gap in Teoscar's contract demands and what the Dodgers are willing to offer. That holdup has allowed the following teams to get into the mix.

Boston Red Sox

The BoSox need another big bat, particularly one in the outfield. They're in on both Hernandez and the other corner OF free agent, Anthony Santander. Hernandez has put up massive numbers at Fenway Park in his career: a .282 batting average, .344 on-base percentage, and a .606 slugging percentage in 45 games. 

Toronto Blue Jays

This, of course, would be a reunion for Teo, bringing him back to the team he spent six seasons with. The Jays mistakenly traded him after the 2022 season for a middling reliever in their ill-fated attempts to boost "run prevention", but at the expense of their offense, which has been woeful since Hernandez left. In his 6 years in Toronto, he posted an .822 OPS and a 122 OPS+. His good friend Vladimir Guerrero Jr. would love to have him back.

Photo:  Brad Penner-Imagn Images