Teoscar Hernandez is officially returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers after a triumphant first season, as the All-Star outfielder and the World Series champions agreed on a three-year, $66 million contract, the team announced Friday.
The deal includes a club option of $15 million for the 2028 season with a $6.5 million buyout, $23.5 million in deferred money and a $23 million signing bonus, ESPN reported on Dec. 27.
“The Dodgers, they’re different,” Hernandez said at Friday’s press conference. “They think about everybody, not only the player and what I can do on the field. They give me confidence.”
The Dodgers also announced they agreed to a three-year, $12.5 million deal with Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim, who had until 5 p.m. ET Friday to sign with an MLB team or return to his South Korean team, the Kiwoom Heroes.
A two-year team option for 2028-29 would pay Kim, who turns 26 at the end of January, an additional $9.5 million.
Hernandez had signed on Jan. 12, 2024, as a free agent with the Dodgers, reportedly declining multi-year offers for a one-year, $23.5 million contract, with $8.5 million deferred.
The risk was rewarded as the native of the Dominican Republic was a key contributor to the Dodgers’ regular-season run as well as through the playoffs.
He batted .250 with three homers, 12 RBIs and 10 walks, and reached base safely in 15 of 16 postseason games.
This offseason, Hernandez listened to other teams but his heart was always in Los Angeles.
“Dodgers were the priority,” Hernandez said. “I was going to do everything in my power to come back. For me, money wasn’t the issue. I could’ve gotten 5, 6 more million from other teams.”
Hernandez batted .272 in the regular season with a career-high 33 home runs as well as 99 RBIs in 154 games. He sported a .339 on-base percentage and .501 slugging percentage.
He was voted to his second All-Star Game, where he also won the Home Run Derby. He also collected his third Silver Slugger award.
Hernandez is a career .263 hitter with 192 homers and 572 RBIs in 965 games for the Houston Astros (2016-17), Toronto Blue Jays (2017-22), Seattle Mariners (2023) and Dodgers.
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said Hernandez will be the right fielder this season. He said the plan is for Mookie Betts to play shortstop.
Kim, who spent eight seasons with the Heroes, is considered an elite defender at multiple infield positions. He batted .326 with 11 homers, 75 RBI and 30 stolen bases in 36 tries last season, finishing his KBO league career batting .304/.364/.403.
–Field Level Media
