"I think Teoscar Hernandez comes back" - MLB insider predicts major career decision for 2x All-Star slugger, says he could return to Dodgers in 2025
Teoscar Hernandez had a great 2024 season with the World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Across 154 games, he hit .272/.339/.501 with a career-high 33 home runs and 99 runs batted in.
At the end of the season, LA offered Hernandez a qualifying offer. However, the slugger declined it making him a free agent this offseason. Despite him being a free agent, a few industry heads believe the club can easily re-sign him.
MLB insider Bob Nightengale sees this happening, explaining his take on Dodgers Dugout with Doug McKain.
"I think Teoscar Hernandez comes back, he loved playing for the Dodgers," Nightengale said.
Nightengale cited Hernandez's love for the club as a reason for him to re-sign.
LA recently announced that it had signed pitcher Blake Snell to a five-year, $182 million deal. He will now join a rotation that consists of Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow.
Who could be interested in stealing Teoscar Hernandez away from the Dodgers?
The Dodgers are not the only team interested in signing Teoscar Hernandez this winter. After the season he just had, there will be a handful of teams trying to sway the hard-hitting righty to their squad.
The New York Yankees are a team that stands out here. They could lose their All-Star outfielder Juan Soto in free agency this winter, and Hernandez could be a great backup option.
However, the timing on that might not add up. Hernandez is expected to sign quickly this winter, while Soto will likely take his time making his decision.
The Baltimore Orioles are another team that could have an interest in Hernandez. They have their corner outfielder Anthony Santander on the open market as a free agent.
We stay in the American League East as the Toronto Blue Jays are another team that comes to mind. This would make for a reunion for Hernandez as he spent six seasons in Toronto before being traded to the Seattle Mariners in 2023.
The market for Hernandez could just be heating up. It will be interesting to see where he decides to play for the 2025 season.