Dodgers extend $21,050,000 qualifying offer to Teoscar Hernandez, pass on Walker Buehler: Reports
The Los Angeles Dodgers have extended a qualifying offer for veteran outfielder Teoscar Hernandez on Monday. Fresh off the World Series win, the Dodgers tabled the offer before the PT deadline but did not extend the same for starting pitcher Walker Buehler.
Teoscar Hernandez signed for the Dodgers on a one-year, $23.5 million deal in free agency in January 2024. Although he wasn't the biggest offseason acquisition by the NL West team, the 32-year-old proved his quality in a star-studded squad, registering career-high numbers on the team's road to the World Series.
Hernandez finished the regular season with a career-best 33 home runs and .840 OPS in 154 games. He also struck three home runs in the postseason that included a grand slam against division rivals San Diego Padres in the NLDS Game 3.
The two-time All-Star has until Nov. 19 to make a decision and is expected to decline the Dodgers' $21.05 million offer. The Dodgers will receive a 2025 MLB Draft pick in compensation if Hernandez declines the qualifying offer and signs for another team.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers did not extend a qualifying offer to starting pitcher Walker Buehler after his heroics in the decisive World Series Game 5. Buehler struggled for most of the regular season on his return to action almost two years after a Tommy John surgery.
Buehler's two Tommy John surgeries amid inconsistency from the mound would've played a crucial role in the Dodgers deciding against a $21.05 million qualifying offer for the two-time World Series champion.
Teoscar Hernandez expressed eagerness to return to the World Series champions
The two-time All-Star expressed his desire to return to the Dodgers following the World Series triumph.
“My hopes are really high,” Hernández said of re-signing. “Like I’ve said before, the Dodgers are the priority obviously. I’m going to do everything in my power to come back.”
Hernandez and the Dodgers will engage in negotiations over the next two weeks and if the two parties fail to come to an agreement over a potential deal, the 32-year-old will have several teams lining up for his signature after a career-best MLB campaign.