The Los Angeles Dodgers finally re-signed Teoscar Hernández last week, but many wondered why it took so long.
There was no question of production from the first year Dodger when it came to contract negotiations. Hernández put up some of the best numbers of his career in 2024 including a career-best in WAR (4.3), home runs (33), and earning not just his first Home Run Derby championship, but becoming the first Dodger to do so.
The 32-year-old only emphasized how valuable he is in the 2024 postseason. With three home runs in October — including a solo shot in the World Series to help secure the Game 2 victory — an impressive 12 RBIs, and batting .250/.352/.417, he instantly solidified his legacy with Los Angeles.
Since hoisting their eighth World Series trophy, fans kept asking the same question regarding Hernández’s contract: What’s taking so long?
In an interview with Grandes en los Deportes translated from Spanish, Hernández spoke on why the deal wasn’t done sooner.
“Well, so much so that closing a deal with the Dodgers was more about how the contract would be structured. From the beginning, both sides were clear about what I wanted, and I was clear about what I was looking for,” Hernández said.
“They were trying to structure it in the best way to convince me. I’m one of those people who obviously wanted to get my money, get a contract for at least three years, but I don’t give much importance to money. I could’ve still been in free agency, waiting for teams with more need for me to make an offer, but as I’ve always said, money is not the most important thing.
“I was simply waiting for them to structure the contract in the best way, so at the end of the day, I could take home a bit more because of the tax situation in California.”
It wasn’t just the front office and the fans that wanted Hernández back. Manager Dave Roberts was asked about potentially moving forward without the outfielder and said, “it would be tough.”
He added: “Obviously I’m a huge fan of Teo. We have a great relationship. His words, he loved everything about being a Dodger, and I’m always going to be a Teo fan.”
Luckily for Roberts, Los Angeles, and its fans, Teoscar Hernández is back wearing Dodger blue for the next three seasons, and potentially a fourth with a club option.
