The Tigers and veteran infielder Cesar Hernandez are in agreement on a minor league contract, tweets Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The Octagon client will be invited to major league camp this spring. If Hernandez makes the roster, he’ll earn a $1.5MM base salary with the potential to unlock more via incentives, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press adds.
Hernandez spent the 2022 season with the Nationals but struggled to the worst offensive performance of his decade-long MLB career, batting just .248/.311/.318 in 617 plate appearances. Hernandez, who’ll turn 33 in May, surprisingly connected on only one home run with the Nationals — despite having swatted a career-high 21 long balls a year prior. Dating back to 2018, Hernandez had averaged 14 homers per 600 plate appearances, making last year’s power outage particularly unexpected.
Defensively, Hernandez has traditionally been a second baseman, although the Nats gave him some time at third base and in left field last year. Hernandez posted roughly average defensive grades at second base in 2019-20 before seeing metrics like Defensive Runs Saved and Outs Above Average agree that his glovework at the position had swiftly declined, beginning in 2021. Both DRS and OAA felt he was average or better in limited looks at third base and in left field, for what it’s worth.
Although last season marked an obvious low point for Hernandez, he’s long been a solid everyday option at the keystone. From 2016-21, the switch-hitter notched a combined .271/.348/.394 batting line with a modest blend of power and speed, consistently above-average walk rates and consistently lower-than-average strikeout rates. That’ll be the player the Tigers hope they’re getting on this non-guaranteed deal.
The Tigers’ infield mix is relatively full, but it’s possible Hernandez could still carve out a role. As it stands, the team hopes to deploy Spencer Torkelson at first base, Jonathan Schoop at second, Javier Baez at shortstop and Nick Maton at third. That said, Torkelson, the former No. 1 overall pick, didn’t establish himself as a viable big league bat in his rookie campaign and will presumably need to earn his spot in the lineup this spring. If he struggles, it’s feasible that Schoop could spend some time at first base, which would open up some potential reps at second for Hernandez. Furthermore, if the Tigers are comfortable bouncing him to multiple spots, Hernandez could simply win a utility role out of the gate.
Cesar deserves more than a minors deal
He hit 1 homerun last year
He’ll fit right in on our roster then.
If this guy makes the MLB roster Detroit is in deeper trouble.
Hes been horrible for 1.5 seasons.
Yeah but veteran guy with fine fielding and not abysmal hitting normally gets you 1 mil or so.
Thank goodness he’s not coming back to the Nats!
That’s exactly what he said too, he was considering the Mexican league rather than re-sign with Nats
If he deserved more, then why weren’t teams knocking down his door? He’s a valuable guy on a playoff team if a player goes down due to an injury. His career is basically over.
Maybe his career is over, but it’s just as likely that he rebounds this year and becomes a valuable member of the Tigers.
Jeez this guy cratered hard last year. He didn’t do all that much when the White Sox traded for him at the deadline but was still serviceable. I can see why a minor league deal with a spring training invite was all he could muster.
He’ll be a decent hole plugger, if he has an average season for him. Now, idk how they’ll position them, but it could mean that Schoop is going to 3B and Hernandez will man 2B. Who knows though. Someone like Kreidler could rake & take one of the two INF spots
Don’t underrate Nick Maton. The former Phillies utility man will look better the more he plays.
@CT am a huge Nickey-bats fan…will he be Utley, nope….but I see him as a Mickey Morandini +…….’cause he has chops at inf/of.
Will be keeping an eye on both him and Vierling…You have tons of positive wishes coming from many of us Phillie Fans….
Thanks. Whatcha know about Sands? The throw in Catcher.
I hope you’re right. I did forget to add Maton and Vierling.
I am anxious to see both play, they sure do get a lot of love from Philly fans and we all know that is not easy! I mean, they boo Castellanos! They will run ole’ Nick out of town this year if he struggles! Lol
I’d rather see Kreidler at 3B, Maton at 2B and Schoop off the bench. Schoop is not the future. (I do think he is a solid veteran, but they won’t be bringing him back.)
they’ll trade him before the deadline but will find ways for Jonathan to get AB’s to build trade value.
But Styme, if they bench Schoop, they won’t be able to get anything for him at the deadline. Ya gotta play him until it’s painfully obvious he’s washed up.
Naldo, I agree which is why I commented what I did.
I really don’t see a lottery pick return being worth the delay in playing the younger players.
The Tigers must be really desperate to sign Hernandez. He has no redeeming qualities on either offense or defense. He was a good hitter with Indians (yes, they were still the Indians in 2021) with something like 20 hr’s and was a decent fielder. He got traded to the White Sox and hit two more hr’s the rest of the season. He became a sure out at the plate and his fielding became worse and worse. Good luck Tigers.
Chill. Lol. Just a zero-risk minor league signing… nothing more.
Don’t underestimate the value of a cheap veteran to push the young players. Things can change in a heartbeat and the Tigers do need bench depth as they lost both the Castro’s and Victor Reyes in free agency.
No, they didn’t “lose them” to free agency. Harris felt the need to CUT the bench from last year so he would need to trade Detroit’s closer to replace them. Guess it was the bench at fault last year.
They were CUT because they were not very good. All other teams felt the same, as they all only received minor league deals
Regardless of why they are no longer around they still need to be replaced is more of the actual point
Avenger…..they could sign him to play all over, utility type. Torkelson, Schoop, Baez and Maton right now.
Don’t forget Kreidler.
Avenger…..I’d rather they took a chance on the 3B from LA, Rios. He hit when he played, but on that team everyone was making ridiculous money so he never really had a chance.
He used to be very underated. Where did his power go? Such a steep drop off.
Everytime I watch the Simpsons I can only see OJ driving his Bronco.
I remember being at a game in Philly during his first season of gaining some real exposure. Sitting with a Yankees fan friend, as Cesar gets up I mention that Cesar has some potential for a good average and OBP, but no power at all. And Bam…Cesar immediately rockets one hitting LH into the 2nd deck…absolutely crushes it.
His only HR that season.
Aaron gave all the Hernandezes a bad name
Keep disrespecting Torkelson while ignoring what Hinch/Coolbaugh did to him and see what happens when he’s a FA. He never asked to be thrown into the abyss that is Detroit baseball these days and I’d imagine he’s counting the days until he can flee.
Or until the season starts and he hammers 25-30 home runs which he’s going to. Last year was like a group nightmare for Detroits offence. Those players will not be that bad again. Not Tork, not Schoop, not Baez, not Meadows and especially not Baddoo who will have a very Randy Arozarena type breakout.
How did they disrespect Torkelson? Listen, I’m a huge fan of Torkelson and last year didn’t go well for him in his first year as a major leaguer but what did coolbaugh and Hinch do to him? They sent him down to the minors because he wasn’t hitting well and just needed that break, and then brought him back up. That’s disrespecting? You’re ridiculous.
No disrespect to Coolbaugh, but I do not understand how or why a career .215 hitter becomes a MLB hitting coach. Personally I’d be looking to hire someone who had more success themself.
I’ve explained it over and over again….if you ain’t got it yet you never will….maybe follow womens’ softball or badminton.
His stats were still better than a lot of Tigers regulars last year. If he bounces back he could have value if Tork or Schoop don’t do the same and bounce back. I like this signing. At his best he could be our starting 2B and score some runs at the bottom of the order. We lose nothing. But I still want them to trade for Nolan Gorman 😉
As a cards fan, who would the tigers send back?
Eduardo Rodriguez tonround out yourcstarting 5 or 6? Add or subtract some pieces. I also understand St Louis is looking for a power arm in the bullpen. Lange fits that bill but it would hurt to give him away. Detroit has lots of pitching coming up though. For the right price anyones available. Burleson and Yepez could be useful pieces in Detroit too.
Jose Iglesias remains a FA while Harris signs these castoffs. Ever see a no-look throw to 1b from a SS in the hole? Iggy did it a couple times…managers hate it, fans love it. He became a US citizen in Detroit but is no longer welcome for some reason……ridiculous.
It’s a puzzler for me too. Iglesias was a nice player in Cincinnati that year he played there, especially on defense but he could come up with timely hits as well.
I think a lot of these analytics geniuses want video game numbers out of shortstops just because a few hit for power.
Agree…he makes Baez look like he’s on roller skates at SS. Maybe he’s a headcase…he sure moves around a lot for having mad skills. weird.
I loved Iglesias in Detroit, absolute stud at shortstop. When the Angels released him in September 2021, I suspected maybe he’s a head-case. He wasn’t hitting great, but not bad enough to be released. For such a slick fielder, you’d think he would be in greater demand…
Iglesias and Andrus both may be watching spring training as spectators at the rate things are going. Its a numbers crunch and it seems like every winter for the past few seasons there have been more middle Infielders than jobs available in free agency
Neither would move the needle forward, so who cares.
Besides, it’s possible Harris did make a similar, or better offer to Iglesias and he said no.
I’d take him back, for sure…
Another example of how Matt Klentak is not missed in Philly. After 2017 and 2018 a lot of teams were interested in acquiring Hernandez, but Klentak’s asking price was too high. Held onto him too long through the arbitration process and Philly had to non-tender him because he was projected to receive an overpay at $11M. Didn’t trade nor extend Hernandez and ended up with a return of zero for what was a well-sought-after player at one time.
Read an article yesterday that next year’s free agent crop at 2B is going to be thin. Schoop is the top rated free agent 2B available. Iglesias is a great SS but I doubt he would take a minor league deal? I guess at this point who knows. I think Hernandez would have to have a bang up spring training or injuries would gave to come up for him to make the team anyway. If he works out great, if not no loss. Oh…and they should trade for Gorman 😉
Tigers don’t need Gorman. No more DH only players. Kreidler needs the opportunity at 3B.
In my view, Kreidlers a backup infielder and Gorman will hit 30-40 HRs a year. I hope you are right though since Kreidler costs them nothing. I think Maton will play 3B this year or get first chance anyway.
A season of Craig Monroe as a full-time broadcaster will pretty much finish me as a Tiger fan since ’59. It’s like they’re trying to drive hardcore fans away….maybe because we see through the double-talk, smoke and mirrors and “woke” baloney of C. Ilitch, Harris and cheater Hinch..
We won’t miss you!
Who’s “we”, Sybil?
What’s wrong with Craig Monroe? He brings a lot of energy to the game. I have met the guy while attending games and he is a super nice guy. More Monroe and Dan Petry is a good thing.
Agreed! His enthusiasm is awesome and Petry is great when he’s on the broadcast seat. I hate all the negativity, the supposed fan Colivito is giving the real Colivito a bad name! As Aaron Rodgers says……
R E L A X!
I love C’Mo. He always brings great insight on the game and he has a colorful trademark
warddrobe!!
C’Mo makes Tiger baseball fun and informative, I welcome him and congratulate him on his expanded role.
I got to meet him as well. Ran into him at a bar before a Lions game, he hung out drank with us since he was by himself. Totally down to earth guy. I absolutely agree him and Petry are a good thing, both bring personal perspectives of the game and deliver it well.
What is their “woke” baloney, and why does it make you so angry?
You seem to be the “angry” one….he’s the worst announcer in Tigers history….a total affirmative action hire. Now call me a “racist” and ignore the fact I thought Joe Morgan was a great announcer…..
@Colavito – I seem to be the angry one? You claim to be a fan since 1959 of the Tigers, and you are ready to give it up due to an issue with an announcer and you think that you are making any sense at all?
I would ask that you try to make sense of your reaction, but apparently you don’t do so well with being “awake”…
Do you have anything positive to say? C-MO’s fine. Yeah he is rah rah, so what. What do you want? Hawk Harrison?? If that idiot was here then I would agree with you. But C-Mo? Leave him alone. And as far as Harris goes, you make it sound like they brought in Harris to ruin the franchise! His track record in San Francisco speaks for itself. There is nothing more annoying than a Tigers fan that has nothing positive to say about anything! Including the Broacasters! I’ve been a fan as long as you, and I always have hope. There are 30 teams trying to win a Championship, hell even the supposed juggernaut of all professional sports, the New York Yankees haven’t won in 14 years! We all want to win, That is what makes Baseball great!!
Harris is righting the ship.
I think he has made some really good moves so far.
I can’t wait to see what this team looks like in 2025.
I like what he got back for Jimenez. All he did with the Soto trade was plug the holes he created when he cut the bench. I’d have preferred keeping the bench from last year and then trading Soto for an improvement. Right now, he’s treading water. The team has a slightly better bench, but has no closer. I also expect Candelario to out perform anything Detroit gets out of 3B.
Do I have anything “positive” to say about the Tigers? uh, no.
This is an opinion board and I said my piece…if you don’t like it, tough. I’d be more colorful in my reply but why get banned answering a hysteric? There is nothing to like about the Tigers anymore….nothing and hearing Craig Monroe screaming beside Shepherd is something I will gladly not experience. Jack was my favorite announcer because he didn’t like what he saw and neither did I. Enough is enough so “Drapes”, you and double rah rah for this morbid enterprise for both of us., Will I stop commenting? Nah, just because I know it will make your blood boil.
Good MiLB signing.
Good landing spot .. idk if he’s worthy of an everyday job but he could be a solid platoon option for a tigers club trying to transition to that next level of competitiveness
As a switch hitter, he can platoon with himself
.248, would’ve been a top hitter for us last year…..
Harold was better, and he got cut.
This is a smart move by the Tigers. Small risk, big reward if Hernandez bounces back.
Schoop’s replacement, if they can ever move him to another team. The ideal scenario is
E rod, and Baez opt out, along with Miguel and Schoop leaving next year. The icing would be trading Schoop this year.
Hernandez checks in at 8.1 in service time, has decent defensive numbers and is a quiet clubhouse guy….
My take is he’ll get to the 10yr mark and full benefits….
No team option for additional years. Just allows the opportunity to showcase at the MLB level….. making this not a valuable contract to trade and if he does have a good year?? O suppose he’ll just give us a real good deal from the bottom of his heart, right?
The liason office proposes we trade Harris and Hinch for Brown and Melton.
We should buy Noah Songs’contract from Philly. Ok.bye
He’ll be in that lineup by mid-april.
Good sign if Tork fails and needs more seasoning. Al promotes this guy, who was nowhere near ready to save his job and it failed in both respects. You can’t take chances rushing prospects to the ML’s.
He didn’t look unready. In hindsight it didn’t work out, but no one expected him to look as bad as he did at the plate. Torkelson did look better than expected defensively.
I disagree, red flags during his development. Do you really think if he wasn’t the number one pick he would have been promoted to the majors with the numbers he posted?
I’ll answer that. Yes, I do. Torkelson had a .935 OPS over 3 levels of competition in 2021, and was impressive in spring training. He absolutely looked ready for the majors. Admittedly, it didn’t work out. Almost everyone on the team failed to meet expectations, sometimes bad hitting is contagious.
Too bad,……… we could have traded Harris to Hou for a decent prospect……too late now…. we need decent prospects….you can get a GM anywhere….
Hire the Superfife!