Breaking news: The Dodgers’ All-Star Slugger is expected to sign a $85 million contract with the Yankees.

PM The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in the 2024 World Series, thanks in large part to outfielder Teoscar Hernandez. Now the right-handed slugger is free to sign with any team.

Would a lucrative contract in the Bronx tempt him to leave Hollywood? Last winter, Hernández had the option of accepting multi-year contracts but instead chose to sign a one-year contract worth $23.5 million with the Dodgers.

The 32-year-old made a wise choice in that regard. In 652 plate appearances for Los Angeles, he hit.272/.339/.501 with 33 home runs, 32 doubles, 99 RBI, and 84 runs scored. His second All-Star Game selection, third Silver Slugger Award, and 19th-place finish in the National League MVP Award voting were all results of this performance. This winter, Hernández is anticipated to sign fast.

The Dodgers seem to have the best chance of acquiring him. However, anything may happen now that he’s up for purchase. If Juan Soto is available, New York has allegedly considered the outfielder as a backup plan in case he signs with another team. Ryan Finkelstein of Just Baseball believes Hernández will still be available for the Yankees to sign a five-year, $85 million contract.

One of the rare batters who has hit more than 25 home runs in a whole season since 2019 is Teso. He wrote, “His 158 home runs during that time put him in 15th place in MLB.” “Many teams will call Hernandez to add some power to their lineup, but the differentiating factor in negotiations may come down to who is willing to commit the most years to him.” Spotrac estimates Hernández’s market value at $71 million and three years; thus, this would be a tiny overpayment by the Yankees. But a bidding war might lead it to occur. Now we’ll simply have to wait and see what occurs.