The Red Sox’s obviously unfair offer ruined their chances of acquiring 2024 Home Run Derby winner Teoscar Hernandez last offseason, the right-handed slugger revealed this week.
Hernandez, who made his second appearance at the MLB All-Star Game in Texas on Tuesday, claims he was offered a contract to play in Beantown when he was a free agent over the winter but a “bad deal” sent him to Southern California to play for the Dodgers.
“28 dollars for two years [million]”It was a great opportunity,” Hernandez said of Boston’s offer. “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast interview “Obviously, I wasn’t going to waste my free agency period. At the end of the day, I love the Red Sox. They were one of my favorite teams,” Hernandez said Thursday. “And I love playing. [at Fenway Park]But at the end of the day, you have to choose what’s best for you, your career and your family.”
The 31-year-old outfielder ultimately signed a one-year, $23.5 million contract with the Dodgers in January, and the move turned out to be a very good deal for both sides midway through the season.
Hernandez had an excellent three-plus months with the Dodgers, batting .261/.327/.475 with 19 home runs and 62 RBIs in 95 games.
The nine-year MLB veteran is coming off the best year of his career and a big payday from Los Angeles, and now he can try his hand at free agency again, something that wasn’t possible under his Boston contract.
Hernandez said he also asked the Red Sox for a third year on his contract, which would have kept him in Boston through 2026, but the team declined.
“I thought they would be successful. [a third year]”But unfortunately, they said I have to wait because they have to take some action,” Hernandez said during a podcast appearance. “And I couldn’t wait any longer.”
The Red Sox could use Hernandez in the middle of their lineup, but the 2024 season has worked out better than expected.
The Red Sox finished the second half of the season with a 53-42 record, sitting in third place in the American League wild card standings and 4.5 games behind the Orioles in the American League East.
