The Los Angeles Dodgers have bolstered their roster with the addition of outfielder Teoscar Hernández. The team, already the World Series favorite, has added another All-Star bat to their lineup. Hernández, 31, joins the Dodgers on a one-year, $23.5 million contract.
Hernández had several suitors in the offseason, but he ultimately opted for the Dodgers. Despite the crowded outfield market and available options on the trade market, he decided to sign a big-money, one-year deal with Los Angeles. This gives him the opportunity to join superstars Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow in what promises to be a formidable lineup.
Hernández’s one-year deal with the Dodgers includes deferrals, although not to the same extent as Ohtani’s record-breaking contract. Out of his $23.5 million salary, $8.5 million will be deferred and paid off between 2030 and 2039. This significant investment in Hernández pushes the Dodgers’ payroll to around $270 million, landing them in the second luxury-tax bracket. As a result, they will have to pay a 12.5% surcharge on top of the 50% luxury tax for exceeding the $237 million threshold.
The Dodgers are making a substantial wager on Hernández’s performance. As an All-Star in 2021, he has proven to be one of baseball’s most consistent power hitters. Since his breakout year with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2018, Hernández has hit 147 home runs and driven in 442 RBIs, ranking 23rd in the league. Although his .258/.305/.435 line with the Seattle Mariners last season was slightly below his career average, he still managed to hit 26 home runs and bring in 93 RBIs.
However, the increased power comes with a higher strikeout rate. In 2023, Hernández struck out 211 times, the second-highest total in the majors. His 31.1% strikeout rate ranked fifth-worst among qualified regulars. Nonetheless, he remains a formidable force against left-handed pitching, boasting a .511 slugging percentage.
Hernández is expected to play a significant role with the Dodgers, providing additional power and complementing left-handed hitters like James Outman and Jason Heyward in the outfield. The Dodgers prioritized adding a reliable bat to their lineup, enabling Hernández to hit in the middle of a stacked order featuring Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Will Smith.
If Hernández performs exceptionally well, comparable to J.D. Martinez during his stint with the Dodgers in 2023, the team has the option to tender him a qualifying offer. This would allow the Dodgers to potentially secure Hernández for another season.
The Seattle Mariners chose not to extend a qualifying offer to Hernández, allowing him to hit free agency and join the Dodgers. Los Angeles hopes that the change of scenery will provide a boost to Hernández’s performance. T-Mobile Park, the Mariners’ home stadium, heavily favors pitchers, which might explain his lower batting numbers at home compared to on the road.
Hernández’s road stats demonstrate his ability to thrive away from T-Mobile Park. He recorded a slash line of .295/.344/.486 on the road, significantly better than his .217/.263/.380 line at home. Additionally, advanced metrics via Statcast suggest that his expected numbers were even greater than his actual performance (e.g., expected slugging percentage of .476).
The Los Angeles Dodgers have made a significant addition to their roster with the signing of Teoscar Hernández. The one-year deal brings power, consistency, and potential to an already formidable lineup. The Dodgers are betting on Hernández’s ability to elevate their game and propel them towards another successful season.
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