The Los Angeles Dodgers have sealed a fresh deal with utility player Kiké Hernández, as announced on Monday.
Enrique Hernández, expressing his excitement on Twitter, declared, “I’m back!!!” This confirmation marked the first announcement, coming directly from Hernández himself.
According to Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times, Hernández and the Dodgers have agreed to a one-year contract valued at $4 million. This development follows earlier reports from ESPN’s Jeff Passan, who indicated that both parties were on the brink of finalizing a deal.
This transaction arises in the wake of Passan’s report detailing the Dodgers’ trade of veteran center fielder Manuel Margot to the Minnesota Twins.
Speculation regarding Hernández’s potential return to the Dodgers surfaced in December, as noted by The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
Throughout his seven seasons with the Dodgers, spanning two separate stints, the 32-year-old Hernández has consistently showcased his prowess. In the concluding stretch of the 2023 season with Los Angeles, he boasted a batting line of .262/.308/.423, accompanied by five home runs across 54 games.
While his batting statistics depict a slightly below-average performance overall, Hernández’s true value lies in his defensive versatility. Throughout his Major League Baseball career, he has adeptly manned every position on the field except for catcher.
This versatility has rendered him an indispensable asset for teams harboring aspirations of championship glory. With the inevitability of injuries or the need for rest among starting players over the course of a grueling 162-game season, Hernández offers Manager Dave Roberts a valuable solution.
Roberts can confidently deploy Hernández across multiple positions as needed, providing critical flexibility in lineup management.
From the onset of the offseason, the prospect of Hernández rejoining the Dodgers seemed almost inevitable. His seamless integration into the team’s dynamic and his proven utility made his return a logical and highly anticipated move.
