Teoscar Hernández wanted to stay with the Dodgers. The Dodgers wanted to retain Teoscar Hernandez. As the sides worked hard through a weeks-long negotiation for the free agent outfielder this offseason, those truths never wavered. And on Friday, those wishes finally came to fruition, with Hernandez agreeing to re-sign with the Dodgers on a three-year, $66 million deal, according to several people with knowledge of the situation who were not authorized to speak publicly, that will bring back one of the most popular, productive and important players from last season’s World Series team. The deal, which also includes a $15 million option for a fourth season, is the latest offseason move for the Dodgers, who will try to defend their title in 2025.
Retaining Hernandez was one of the biggest tasks facing the Dodgers this offseason.
The 32-year-old hit .272 last season with 33 homers and 99 RBIs, earning him his second All-Star selection after signing a one-year, $23.5 million contract last season.
He also hit some of the biggest hits of the Dodgers’ triumphant postseason run, including a clutch home run in Game 5 of the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres and the game-tying double in the Dodgers’ comeback win over the New York Yankees in Game 5 of the World Series.
Although the Dodgers never entered into contract talks with Hernandez during the season, the Dominican star repeatedly expressed his desire to stay in Los Angeles after the season.
During the Dodgers’ championship rally, he choked up with emotion while addressing the crowd.
The question was whether Hernandez and the Dodgers could work out a more lucrative, long-term deal — the kind that failed to materialize for Hernandez last winter, leading him to sign his one-year deal with the Dodgers last year and rebuild his stock with a resurgence in 2024.
“The Dodgers are the priority, obviously,” Hernandez said after the team’s championship parade last month. “I’m going to do everything in my power to get back.” Talks between the Dodgers and Hernandez’s camp began early in the offseason,
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