The rollercoaster offseason has officially begun for Los Angeles Dodgers utility man Kiké Hernández. The free agent has announced his official status this winter with a change in his profile picture.
Originally, Hernández’s profile picture was a headshot of himself with a Dodgers hat on. Now, Hernández has a question mark on his hat. It signals that the utility man’s future with Los Angeles remains uncertain as he enters free agency.
However, he did urge fans to tell the front office that he wanted to return. At a Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers partnership event, Hernández revealed he is anxious to return to the Dodgers for the 2025 season.
“I really hope I am back next year,” Hernández said, “so make sure you talk to (Andrew) Friedman and those guys and let them know.
Hernández believes that the Dodgers will be an even better team next season as the pitching staff gets reinforcements. However, the utility man’s future with the Dodgers is still up in the air.
“It’s hard to not think about it, about what can happen next year,” Hernández said. “Obviously, being a free agent at the time I wouldn’t say I’m unemployed because I’m here working at Raising Canes today. I would love to be back. We won the World Series a few days ago, but I truly believe this team is going to be better next year with all the pitching reinforcements. It’s going to be some really exciting times in LA next year.”
The Dodgers have several tough decisions to make regarding players who are now free agents this winter.
Along with Hernández, Walker Buehler, Jack Flaherty, Teoscar Hernández, Blake Treinen, and Joe Kelly are also free agents this offseason.
President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and general manager Brandon Gomes will have to decide whether to keep or let go of a number of fan favorites. The front office will also have to decide whether to go after highly-touted free agents such as Willy Adames or Juan Soto.
Adames or Soto would be a huge addition to the team, but the departure of fan favorites like Hernández would also be a tough loss.
