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Free agent Teoscar Hernández says it is his “priority” to re-sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers after playing a key role in the team’s 2024 World Series win.
“My hopes are really high,” Hernández said on Friday about re-signing, per MLB.com’s Juan Toribio. “Like I’ve said before, the Dodgers are the priority, obviously. I’m going to do everything in my power to come back.”
When asked about when he wanted to sign with the Dodgers, Hernández joked, “Hopefully tomorrow.”
“I want us to be here. I want us to be part of this. I have so many good memories here,” Hernández said. “I’ve learned a lot as a player, as a person. It feels great to be part of this.”
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Teoscar Hernandez was emotional addressing the fans after winning his first World Series championship pic.twitter.com/sPckIFzDak
Hernández’s two-run double tied the World Series-clinching Game 5 at 5-5 in the top of the fifth inning on Wednesday, completing the Dodgers’ comeback from a five-run deficit to the New York Yankees.
The Dodgers then added two runs in the top of the eighth to claim the title with a 7-6 victory.
That wasn’t the first time Hernández caused a momentum shift in a World Series game. He also hit a two-run homer that proved to be the difference in the Dodgers’ 4-2 win over the Yankees in Game 2.
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Teoscar Hernández gets the lead right back for the Dodgers with a 2-run homer! pic.twitter.com/aQldJQbPlp
Hernández then threw out Giancarlo Stanton at the plate to close out the fourth inning of Game 3.
Hernández joined the Dodgers a one-year, $23.5 million deal ahead of the 2024 season. He was coming off a relatively-down .258 batting average for the Seattle Mariners the season prior, possibly in part because of T-Mobile Park’s statistical reputation as a pitcher-friendly venue.
Like Shohei Ohtani’s record contract, the agreement included $8.5 million in deferred money to be paid out through 2039.
Hernández turned down other offers in order to take the deal, including a two-year, $28 million offer from the Boston Red Sox.
That deal paid off as Hernández batted .272 with 33 home runs and 99 RBIs in the regular season to earn his second career All-Star nod and win the 2024 Home Run Derby before becoming a hero in the Dodgers’ run to the title.
Hernández told reporters in early October that he and the Dodgers had not had any in-season talks about an extension. It seems more likely this time around that those discussions will result in a multi-season deal, although the Dodgers will have to consider other pending free agents including Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler and Kiké Hernández before extending an offer.
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