Major outfielder Teoscar Hernandez (32), one of the key players in the Los Angeles Dodgers' World Series victory, joined the team. Again this time, the team faced the condition of "defer (deferral of payment)" in which part of its annual salary was paid after the end of the contract period. That's how much he loves Dodgers.
According to the U.S. media, including ESPN, on the 28th (Korea time), FA Hernandez agreed to a three-year, $66 million contract with the Dodgers. Hernandez also announced his return to the Dodgers with a message on his SNS, "I'm back."
The terms and conditions of the contract are eye-catching. It is a three-plus one-year contract that includes a 15-million-dollar club option (buy-out 6.5 million dollars) in 2028, and the amount of Dipper to be paid later after the contract period ends will be 23 million dollars. The Dodgers received a large amount of 34.7 billion won (35.6 million dollars) in Korean money later, leaving the money to the Dodgers.스포츠토토
Dipper contracts, which are popular in the Dodgers, are unfavorable conditions for players. It has tax savings, but it is better to get paid on time because the value of the currency is gradually decreasing due to inflation and inflation.
However, several star players in the Dodgers, including Mookie Betts ($115 million of 12 years, $172 million of 16 million of 6 years), Freddie Freeman ($57 million of 6 years, $180 million of 7 million of 10 years), Shohei Ohtani ($680 million of 7 million of 10 years), Will Smith ($50 million of 10 years, $140 million of 10 years), Tommy Edman ($25 million of 5 years,) and Blake Snell ($66 million of 5 years, have signed contracts that include a large dipper.
It is Hernandez's second Defer contract with the Dodgers. In January this year, Hernandez signed an FA contract with the Dodgers for a year and 23.5 million dollars. Of that, 8.5 million dollars was to be distributed to the Dodgers from 2030 to 2039. Until this contract, Hernandez will continue to accompany the Dodgers through a Defer contract for two consecutive years.
It is impossible without affection for the Dodgers. Hernandez has rebounded by playing a batting average of 272 (with 160 hits in 589 times at bat) and 33 homers with 99 RBIs in 154 games this year. He displayed strength in chances by posting the most homeruns in an individual season, contributing greatly to the Dodgers' World Series championship. He also had good relations with players including Ohtani. As a veteran, he showed his presence by serving as a mentor to young players, especially Latin American players.
Hernandez became a free agent again after his one-year contract ended, but openly expressed his willingness to stay with the Dodgers from the end of the season. At the championship parade, he wiped away tears by telling fans, "Of course, my priority is the Dodgers. I will do everything I can to come back."
In the FA market, the Boston Red Sox sent a love call to Hernandez, and the Toronto Blue Jays, who had been together for six years between 2017 and 2022, also showed interest in reuniting. In the meantime, there were predictions that the Dodgers would break up with Hernandez by recruiting FA outfielder Michael Confoto for $17 million a year.
However, Hernandez's tears were from the bottom of his heart. Although it took some time, he reached an agreement with the Dodgers and succeeded in keeping his promise with fans. Hernandez was a valuable player even for the Dodgers, where Betts is set to return to the infield next season. Hence, the Dodgers will likely have Confoto, Edman and Hernandez in the outfield next year. As Edman takes the center fielder, Confoto and Hernandez will share the corner. Both of them can play either left or right field.
The Dodgers reinforced its strength by recruiting two-time Cy Young Award winner Snell and 167-homer outfielder Confoto as free agents during this offseason. In addition, bullpen pitchers Blake Treinen (22-year-old dollars) and Hernandez, who contributed to the victory, were also retained. Walker Buehler, who marked the moment of victory, has moved to the Boston Red Sox, but he is expected to make the end of the offseason as a strong candidate for the recruitment of "Japanese monster pitcher" Rocky, who is about to post.