While the latest talks about slugger Teoscar Hernandez and 2025 with the Dodgers have been silent, they should target extending him. Their focus is on the postseason, but the 31-year-old is eager to remain with the team and doesn’t want to test free agency. While knocking the San Diego Padres out of the postseason, Hernandez and the Dodgers still have work to do in the postseason. He’s settled in nicely with the Dodgers and signed a one-year, $23,500,000 contract last offseason in January.
Dodgers Slugger Deserves Extension
Discussions in the past of the veteran reuniting with his former team, the Toronto Blue Jays, have come up, but he’s been flourishing in Dodger land. You can tell he is proud to be a Dodger, especially when he did the ‘Jose Bautista Bat Flip’ celebration when he hit a solo shot against the Padres. The Blue Jays overvalued his average defense compared to his homerun-hitting ability. When Hernandez played for Toronto, his ability to protect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the lineup and the power threat he provided made him an undervalued player. For these reasons, it was unwise of the Blue Jays to not resign him in the 2023 offseason. Blue Jays fans on social media scored at the organization following Hernandez’s ‘Jose Bautista Bat Flip’ celebration homer.
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Dodgers Slugger Should Remain With Team in 2025
Hernandez Embraces Dodgers Organization
When Hernandez spoke with Ken Rosenthal following the Dodgers 2-0 victory, he talked about his admiration for the Dodgers. “This is my first time in this kind of atmosphere. But I love this. This is why I came here. This is why I signed here with the Dodgers.” He has, without question, embraced being a Dodger. Hernandez hit a rocket of a home run in the seventh inning to help the Dodgers advance to the NLCS. As well as providing a crucial insurance run for the Dodgers classifies him as the MVP of the series for the Dodgers.
The Dodgers were successful in keeping the Padres off the scoreboard. This was also accomplished with the help of starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who put out a scoreless start in game five. While the postseason remains, the Dodgers should also focus on renewing Hernandez’s contract. Hernandez was asked weeks ago if he wanted to remain a Dodger, and he confirmed that he did. With the success he’s showcased with the team, why wouldn’t he want to stay? Especially if the Dodgers win the World Series, that will be the icing on the cake.
Hernandez’s Productive Season
Hernandez’s strong performance last night and his success in the postseason are two significant skills Hernandez possesses. Since 2022, he has recorded three home runs, 11 RBIs, a .308 average, and a 1.149 OPS in the postseason. He also leads the Dodgers with seven RBIs this postseason. In the NLDS series, Hernandez was also clutch, recording six hits, two home runs, a .333 batting average, and a 1.067 OPS. Hernandez also had a strong regular season with the Dodgers, recording a .272 batting average, 33 home runs, and 99 RBIs.
He’s been a superstar for the Dodgers this season as he also powered through a hit-by-pitch foot injury, avoiding landing on the injury list. This was significant as the Dodgers faced many injuries this season. Hernandez is also a two-time All-Star, a 2024 Homerun Derby Champ, and a two-time Silver Slugger. Amid a prolific 2024 season for the Dodgers, the slugger is expected to earn a multi-year contract projected around $72 million or more.
Main Photo Credits: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
