Cotillo’s report comes after news surfaced that the Dodgers were looking into backup plans in case they fail to bring back the 2024 Home Run Derby winner.
Hernandez hit the free agent market this offseason after one season in Los Angeles that seemed to rebuild his contract value. Following a down year with the Seattle Mariners in 2023, Hernandez signed with the Dodgers on a one-year, $23.5 million deal in hopes that he could set himself up for a bigger payday this offseason.
He did exactly that, hitting .272 with an .840 OPS and 33 home runs. Hernandez was also named a National League All-Star and won a Silver Slugger as the Dodgers captured their second World Series title in the last five seasons.
Cotillo also noted that after Hernandez, Pete Alonso, Alex Bregman, Anthony Santander and Jurickson Profar are the best bats still available. Boston can certainly make a run at one or more of them.