The Los Angeles Dodgers addressed their need for a right-handed hitting outfielder by signing Teoscar Hernández to a one-year, $23.5 million contract during the offseason.
The 31-year-old was originally projected to land a multi-year deal despite coming off a down season with the Seattle Mariners, but his market never truly developed.
He elected to sign a short-term contract with the Dodgers for an opportunity to win a World Series and potentially test free agency at the end of the 2024 season.
Hernández has been one of L.A.’s most productive bats and hopes to stick around for many years to come, via Bill Ladson of MLB.com:
“I want to stay. I don’t want to keep bouncing around the league. I feel good here, comfortable. I think this is a good chance for me to win. That is the most important thing for me. It’s a great group. I would love to stay.”
Through 68 games, Hernández is hitting .262/.331/.517 with 14 doubles, one triple, 17 home runs and 50 RBI in 263 at-bats.
Hernández’s 50 RBI is good for sixth in baseball this season. Of that total, 35 have come with runners in scoring position, which ranks 11th.
Hernández had a big series against the New York Yankees as he went 6-for-12 with two doubles, three home runs and nine RBI in three games. He became the first player with three home runs and nine RBI in a series against the Yankees since 2019.
Teoscar Hernández named NL Player of the Week
Hernández was named National League Player of the Week for the period of June 3-9 after productive series against the Pittsburgh Pirates and Yankees.
He hit .360/.429/.960 with three doubles, four home runs and 10 RBI over six games last week. Hernández tied a career high with six RBI in the Dodgers’ win against the Yankees on Saturday.
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