Report: Kiké Hernandez, Dodgers Agree to Free-Agent Contract After World Series Win
February 9, 2025
Kiké Hernandez is coming back to Los Angeles.
Hernandez and the Dodgers have agreed to a new contract pending a physical, according to The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya.
Hernandez hinted at the signing in a post on his Instagram:
Hernandez, who was traded to the Dodgers from the Boston Red Sox in July 2023, re-signed in Los Angeles last winter and went on to play a key role in the team's World Series win.
He hit free agency this offseason after the expiration of his last one-year, $4 million deal with the team.
Last regular season Hernandez slashed .229/.281/.373 with 12 home runs and 42 RBI. His .654 OPS sat around his average for the last three seasons, and remained below his career .713 mark.
But another strong postseason performance— he batted .294 with two home run and six RBI in 14 games— helped solidify him as a Dodgers fan favorite.
After all, last fall wasn't the first time Hernandez has helped the Dodgers win it all. During his previous stint with the team he helped the Dodgers claim victory in the 2020 World Series.
Hernandez's flexibility as a utility player, which has given him extensive infield experience at second base, third base and shortstop while also giving him reps at center field, left field and even on the mound, reportedly helped him draw free agency interest from other clubs this offseason.
According to the New York Post's Mark W. Sanchez, the New York Yankees "inquired" about Hernandez this winter after also pursuing him following the 2023 season.
Adding Hernandez could have given the Yankees another potential left field option behind Jasson Domínguez, who heads into the 2025 season slated to start at the position with just 26 prior regular-season appearances under his belt.
Instead, Hernandez will return to the Dodgers, where he will look to slot in wherever the team needs him as the defending champions gear up for another potential World Series run later this year.
The re-signing of Hernandez is the latest success for a Dodgers team that has been busy in free agency, not just signing new talent like Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki, but retaining key parts of their championship roster like Clayton Kershaw and Teoscar Hernández.
