The Los Angeles Dodgers and Teoscar Hernández seem to be at a stalemate.
After a fantastic first season in Chavez Ravine, one would think that Hernández would be a lock to come back to the team he had a career year with. The 32-year-old popped a personal-best 33 home runs and batted cleanup in the World Series champions’ lineup.
The Dodgers and Hernández both say they want a reunion, but so far, one has yet to materialize. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported last week that the slugger is seeking a $22-24 million annual salary, and for whatever reason, LA hasn’t been willing to match that price.
Eventually, both sides will have to move on if nothing changes. That could be a huge boon to a team that has become familiar with ex-Dodgers stars throughout the past few years.
In a recent YouTube video, content creator Jim Riley predicted that the Dodgers’ negotiations with Hernández would eventually fall apart, clearing the way for him to sign with the Boston Red Sox.
“Once it is evident that a Dodgers deal is just not there… I think we will see a quick pivot,” Riley said.
“There’s a team here that has vowed to spend money and be aggressive and grab a righty bat, and I’m going to go with the Boston Red Sox as my prediction for Teoscar.”
In addition to his 33 home runs, Hernández racked up 99 RBI, an .840 OPS and a 137 OPS+ last season. He’s arguably the best right-handed bat available right now, and the Red Sox need righties in their lineup more than just about anyone.
The Red Sox already signed former Dodger Walker Buehler this week, and they’ve grabbed ex-LA stars Justin Turner, Kenley Jansen, and Kiké Hernández in recent seasons as well. Hernández would be just the latest cross-country trip for a star accustomed to Dodger blue.