Teoscar Hernández Takes on a New Challenge with the Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers have made a significant move to bolster their outfield mix by signing Teoscar Hernández to a one-year, $23.5 million deal. This marks Hernández’s third team in as many years, but he joins a Dodgers lineup that is already packed with star power. While the 2023 season was considered a down year for Hernández, the 31-year-old managed to put up respectable numbers, including a.258 batting average,.305 on-base percentage,.435 slugging percentage, 26 home runs, and 93 RBI.

Although his 105 weighted runs created plus (wRC+) in 2023 was lower than his three-year average of 133 wRC+ in previous seasons, Hernández opened up about his struggles and whether free agency was on his mind. He stated that he tried not to think about his impending free agency and instead focused on the season. His main goal was to help the team win as many games as possible, acknowledging that swing-and-miss has always been a part of his game. He made adjustments to improve his performance and aimed to have a better season than the previous year.

Hernández’s strikeout rate rose to 31.1% in 2023, slightly higher than the previous three seasons (27.2%). However, the Dodgers have not approached him with any specific adjustments to his game yet. Hernández emphasized that he will be focused on making the necessary changes when he arrives in Arizona for spring training. Currently, he is getting to know his new teammates and aligning their goals towards winning.

Since establishing himself in the Major Leagues with the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners, Hernández has amassed impressive numbers, including 147 home runs, 442 RBI, and 391 runs scored. While he has consistently been one of the top hitters on his previous teams, the Dodgers will not place immense pressure on him to produce as one of the top three options. He will share the lineup with formidable talents such as Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Shohei Ohtani.

Analyzing Hernández’s performance in 2023, his numbers with the Mariners were significantly lower when playing at home compared to his road performances. He struggled with a.217/.263/.380 slash line at home, a notable contrast to his.295/.344/.486 numbers on the road. The 45-point disparity in wRC+ between home (81 wRC+) and road (126 wRC+) highlights the challenges Hernández faced during his free agency. Despite that, the Dodgers took an expensive gamble on his consistent power threat from the right side of the plate.

With Hernández now donning Dodger blue, the team hopes he can regain his previous form and contribute to their quest for success in the upcoming season.