Last week, the Los Angeles Dodgers traded outfielder Manuel Margot and Minor League shortstop Rayne Doncon to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for Minor League shortstop Noah Miller.
The Dodgers also sent cash considerations to the Twins as a part of the deal.
The move was made to free up a roster spot as the Dodgers re-signed Kiké Hernández to a one-year, $4 million contract.
Prior to the trade, Margot seemed to fit into the Dodgers’ plans as a potential platoon partner with Jason Heyward or James Outman, while also providing another elite defender to mix into the outfield.
However, the decision to trade Margot had more to do with Hernández’s compatibility and familiarity with the Dodgers than anything else, general manager Brandon Gomes explained, via Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
“Obviously, Manny still fit really well,” general manager Brandon Gomes said. “Kiké, we felt, just fit a little bit better.”
Taking a look at the two players, it is clear to see the Dodgers’ thought process when making the change. Having Hernández’s outfield and infield versatility gives the roster more flexibility than it would have had with Margot, and for the final spot on the bench, that can be valuable.
There’s also Hernández’s history with the ballclub and the intangible effect he has on teammates in the clubhouse. He has been an important part of the Dodgers’ culture and helped to bring energy to the team.
After coming over to the Dodgers from the Miami Marlins in a trade during the 2014 Winter Meetings, Hernández enjoyed five successful seasons with the club from 2015-20. During that stretch, he played an integral role in several deep playoff runs, culminating in the Dodgers’ 2020 World Series championship.
Hernández left L.A. in free agency following the 2020 season and spend parts of three seasons with the Boston Red Sox before returning to the Dodgers last season in a trade. In 54 games with the Dodgers in 2023, he hit .262/.308/.423 with five homers and 30 RBI.
Kiké Hernández’s Dodgers postseason history
Hernández has one more intangible to his game and that is the so-called clutch gene when the calendar flips to October. There was his historic performance in Game 5 of the 2017 National League Championship Series, where he hit three home runs and drove in seven runs to tie the record for most RBI in a postseason game.
There was also his game-tying solo home run in Game 7 of the 2020 National League Championship Series, in which he became the first player to pinch hit a game-tying or go-ahead home run in a winner-take-all postseason game.
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