MLB Rumors: Red Sox 'In On' Teoscar Hernández amid Yankees, Dodgers 'Competition'

Featured Columnist IVDecember 8, 2024

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 18: Teoscar Hernández #37 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts while headed to the dugout after striking out during the sixth inning in game five of the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets at Citi Field on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024 in New York. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

The Boston Red Sox "remain in on" free-agent outfielder Teoscar Hernández, according to MassLive.com's Chris Cotillo.

Cotillo added, however, that the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers are presenting "stiff competition" and that demand for Hernández's services could increase once Juan Soto has settled on a decision.

The Boston Globe's Pete Abraham reported the Dodgers appear to be his preferred choice but that Boston is in the mix:

Pete Abraham @PeteAbe
Via a few sources: Teoscar Hernández has told people he would prefer to stay with the Dodgers but has long been intrigued by the idea of playing at Fenway Park and he's a fan of Alex Cora. It could come down to the Sox and Dodgers.

The Red Sox are among the five teams chasing Soto but might be losing ground. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Saturday the Yankees and New York Mets have increased their bids to $700 million-plus.

Boston and the Toronto Blue Jays "are also believed to have placed very competitive bids," per Heyman, though it's unclear whether either is willing to match what the New York teams have put on the table.

In the case of Hernández, he'd be more than just a contingency plan for the Red Sox in the event they miss out on Soto. ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Tyler O'Neill agreed to a three-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles, taking away one of Boston's starting outfielders from 2024.

While Hernández would be a defensive downgrade from O'Neill, his offense would more than make up for that. The 32-year-old hit 33 home runs and had a .272/.339/.501 slash line with the Dodgers last year. For his career, he has slugged .488 with a 121 OPS+, per Baseball Reference.

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As one of the better outfielders in free agency, Hernández is in a great position to cash out offseason. He should benefit from however the Soto sweepstakes shake out, too, since the Dodgers and/or Yankees will be a little more desperate to bolster their outfielder if they fail to land the four-time All-Star.