{"id":92434,"date":"2024-12-19T21:39:21","date_gmt":"2024-12-20T02:39:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=92434"},"modified":"2024-12-19T21:39:21","modified_gmt":"2024-12-20T02:39:21","slug":"kike-hernandez-potential-landing-spots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/12\/19\/kike-hernandez-potential-landing-spots\/","title":{"rendered":"Free Agent Super-Utility Man Wants to Play for a Contender"},"content":{"rendered":"

Super-utility player Kik\u00e9 Hern\u00e1ndez<\/a>, who has won two World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers, is a free agent again, so what uniform will he be wearing? The flamboyant fan favorite has spent most of his career in Los Angeles, with an interlude with the Boston Red Sox in between two tenures donning the Dodger Blue. Hern\u00e1ndez is known for his versatility, as he has played eight positions on the diamond. Thus far, he hasn’t put on the “tools of ignorance,” but considering how he plays every other position on the field with excellence and verve, he would likely adapt to playing catcher if the need arose.<\/p>\n

Rather Pedestrian Regular Season<\/h3>\n

The right-handed hitter signed a one-year deal last offseason and seemed to struggle for the majority of the first half of 2024. Hern\u00e1ndez was hitting below the Mendoza line at a .191 batting average. This led even the most loyal fans to wonder if he was worth the roster spot.<\/p>\n

Turning Point<\/h3>\n

However, Hern\u00e1ndez discovered he had astigmatism in his right eye. After his sight was corrected in June, the super-utility man hit .274 the rest of the year. Ironically, his first breakout game was against his former team, the Boston Red Sox. He was inserted in the middle of the game and promptly drove in the tying runs in the eighth and ninth innings, while scoring the winning run in the eleventh.<\/p>\n

Prodigious Postseason<\/h3>\n

As soon as the calendar hits October, Hern\u00e1ndez ups his game<\/a>. He thrives when the lights are the brightest. He has an OPS in the postseason of .980, one of the highest for a right-handed hitter in the history of baseball. The “Swiss Army Knife of baseball” hits over .400 and is tied with Babe Ruth<\/a> with 15 home runs.<\/p>\n

Hernandez started the fifth-inning rally in Game Five of the World Series<\/a> with a line-drive single. The Dodgers never looked back.<\/p>\n

Potential Landing Spots for Kik\u00e9 Hern\u00e1ndez<\/h2>\n

Hern\u00e1ndez has already stipulated that he wants to play for a contender in October. “I need October baseball. It’s part of who I am.” he said in a recent interview. Here are two options to consider as possible landing spots for Hern\u00e1ndez.<\/p>\n

New York Yankees<\/h4>\n

Amid the flurry of free-agent signings and departures, the Yankees could be a fit. Gleyber Torres<\/a> and Juan Soto<\/a> won’t be back. This probably means that Jazz Chisholm Jr.<\/a> will move to second base. Cody Bellinger<\/a> was acquired<\/a> to primarily play center field, but New York has to find a first and a third baseman. With these positions still in flux, would the Yankees consider employing Hern\u00e1ndez, who could fill a gap anywhere on the diamond? It’s probably unlikely, but not out of the realm of possibility.<\/p>\n

Los Angeles Dodgers<\/h4>\n
\n

Kik\u00e9 Hern\u00e1ndez says his main priority is re-signing with the Dodgers and helping them win back-to-back World Series titles.<\/p>\n

“The Dodgers are very well-positioned to make another run.”<\/p>\n

Via The Shoppic.twitter.com\/ic4SglyheR<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) December 17, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n