BREAKING: Yankees are closing in to confirm historical deal with Dodgers
Following their recent World Series triumph, the Los Angeles Dodgers appeared poised to re-sign outfielder Teoscar Hernández.
Hernández quickly became a fan favorite in Los Angeles, thanks to his vibrant personality and a career-best 33 home runs during his time in Dodger Blue. His connection to the city seemed mutual, as shown by his heartfelt speech at the World Series parade. However, rumors soon surfaced, casting doubt on the Dodgers’ ability to retain him.
According to ESPN’s Alden González, negotiations between Hernández and the Dodgers hit significant “gaps” that neither side could bridge. This development opened the door for teams like the Red Sox and Yankees to explore signing the outfielder.
Fortunately for the Dodgers, both Boston and New York appear to have shifted their priorities. The Red Sox have returned to their less aggressive free-agent strategies, while the Yankees are now focused on pursuing a trade for Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker.
The Red Sox and Yankees’ pivoting from Teoscar Hernández gives Dodgers perfect chance to close a deal
The Red Sox’s recent tendency to lowball free agents has already cost them talent — it’s how the Dodgers landed Teoscar Hernández to begin with. Boston declined to pay Max Fried before the Yankees swooped in, and they’ve shown little interest in pursuing Corbin Burnes. While the Red Sox remain linked to Hernández in their search for a right-handed bat, their reluctance to invest in top-tier free agents strengthens the Dodgers’ prospects of re-signing the 32-year-old.
Meanwhile, the Yankees secured Fried on a record-breaking eight-year, $218 million contract and have since turned their attention to the trade market. With the league’s second-highest payroll last season largely committed to veteran players, Juan Soto’s massive contract likely pushed Hernández’s asking price beyond what the Yankees are comfortable paying.
The Dodgers should seize this opportunity, leveraging Boston’s hesitation and New York’s shift in focus to bring Hernández back. His seamless fit in Los Angeles makes retaining him a priority before another team steps in to meet his demands.