The Boston Red Sox face a pressing need for a right-handed bat as the trade deadline approaches. Their efforts last offseason to acquire Teoscar Hernandez, one of the premier right-handed sluggers in free agency, fell short when he opted instead to sign a lucrative one-year, $23.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers in January. Since then, the 31-year-old outfielder has proven his worth with an impressive 19 home runs, 62 RBI, and an .802 OPS, earning his second career All-Star nod and claiming the 2024 MLB Home Run Derby crown.
Reflecting on his decision ahead of the Red Sox-Dodgers series opener in Los Angeles, Hernandez shed light on the contract negotiations with Boston, revealing that they offered him a two-year, $28 million deal. Despite his affection for the Red Sox and playing at Fenway Park, Hernandez prioritized what he believed was best for his career and family.
“Obviously, I was not gonna go spend my free agency trying to get a bad deal because at the end of the day, I love the Red Sox. It was one of my favorite teams,” Hernandez shared on the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast. “And I love playing there (Fenway Park), but at the end of the day, I have to make what is best for me, and my career and my family.”
When asked about his expectations for a potential third year in the offer, Hernandez expressed initial optimism but ultimately found the wait untenable. “At the end, honestly, I thought they were gonna make it (a third year),” he noted. “But unfortunately, they said they have to wait because they have to make some moves and all that stuff, and I couldn’t wait any longer.”
In Hernandez’s absence, the Red Sox have navigated through the first half of the season with mixed results from their outfielders, including standout performances from Jarren Duran, Tyler O’Neill, and Ceddanne Rafaela. However, their designated hitter Masataka Yoshida has struggled, particularly against left-handers, hitting just .140 with a .475 OPS. In contrast, Hernandez boasts a .907 OPS and has slugged eight homers against southpaws.
As the Dodgers visit Boston for a pivotal three-game series, the Red Sox will be aiming to contain Hernandez’s offensive prowess. The series opener at Dodger Stadium is scheduled for 10:10 p.m. ET on Friday.