The Dodgers have already retained one clubhouse favorite this offseason, re-signing infielder Miguel Rojas to a one-year deal. Utilityman Kiké Hernández could be next on the list. Fabian Ardaya and Katie Woo of The Athletic reported the two sides are interested in a reunion. Hernández is currently recovering from elbow surgery on his non-throwing arm.
Hernández has spent nine of his 12 big-league seasons with the Dodgers. He re-upped with the team on a one-year, $6.5MM deal this past offseason. Hernández has filled a versatile role across multiple stints in LA and has three World Series rings with the club (2020, 2024, 2025).
The 34-year-old is coming off one of his worst offensive seasons, though the elbow issue could’ve played a factor. Hernández hit just .203 across 93 games, while missing most of July and August with the injury. The veteran started every playoff game for the Dodgers, managing a .250 batting average, albeit with an elevated strikeout rate. Hernández accounted for LA’s only run in Game 5 of the World Series when he homered off of Trey Yesavage. He was also in left field for Andy Pages’ season-saving catch in Game 7.
Hernández’s ability to handle several defensive positions is likely the main factor in a return to LA. The defending champs don’t have many major holes, but the roster has some soft spots that could be patched by Hernández. The Dodgers currently have Tommy Edman penciled in at center field, though he struggled with injuries and poor performance last season. Some combination of Hyeseong Kim and Alex Freeland will likely handle second base, but neither has much MLB experience. There’s room for Hernández to carve out a part-time gig again, even if it’s just as a platoon bat spelling Kim and Max Muncy.
RosterResource has LA’s payroll at $337MM for next season. While that’s a massive number, it’s a significant dropoff from last season’s mark, which neared $400MM. The potential commitment to Hernández would likely be similar to the pact he got last offseason. The Dodgers also have luxury tax fees to consider, but Hernández’s deal won’t make much of a dent.
In other news, the sky is blue, and grass is green
The sky is Dodger blue*
Also started the dp that ended Game 6….
Potty mouth will be back for clutch post-season hitting and comic-relief blowout pitching.
Emily Post here
All roads lead to Rome.
It’s nice seeing the Dodgers treat players like people, instead of commodities like my team does.
They don’t need him but you have to run it back. 2027 is when they move into the next era incorporating the prospects
Rojas provides depth at 2B and elsewhere on the infield. If Hernandez comes back he will probably be used more in the outfield.
Nobody will ever convince me that he isn’t the best player on LA. I know they have the MVPs and they have great stats, but whenever you needed to get that third out or a DP to get out of the inning, Hernandez always gets a hit to put them ahead or tie. As a Padre fan he is the one I dread the most coming to bat in a close game.