As per a report from Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, it’s anticipated that free agent utility player Enrique Hernández will ink a deal with a team within the next two to three days. The exact number of teams vying for his services remains unclear.
Hernández’s 2023 season was a tale of two halves, split between the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Struggling offensively with the Red Sox, he managed a modest .222 batting average with six home runs in 323 plate appearances. However, upon returning to the Dodgers, his offensive performance saw a slight uptick, batting .262 with a .308 on-base percentage and a .423 slugging percentage in 185 plate appearances.
Despite undergoing offseason hernia surgery, expected to have no bearing on his readiness for Spring Training, Hernández’s offensive consistency has been a bit shaky in recent years. Since 2019, he’s posted a slash line of .237/.305/.394 in over 2100 plate appearances, with below-average hitting performance in four of the last five seasons.
With Hernández approaching his age-32 season, the likelihood of securing a major league contract remains up in the air. Recent signings in the market have seen players like Amed Rosario and Gio Urshela settling for $1.5 million guarantees, while Tim Anderson landed a $5 million pact. Hernández’s offensive output in recent seasons has fallen short of these players, although his defensive flexibility, including his ability to play multiple positions in the outfield, adds value.
Despite efforts by the Red Sox to utilize Hernández as an everyday shortstop last season, it didn’t quite pan out. As Hernández navigates the free agent market, teams will be assessing his defensive versatility against his inconsistent offensive performance in recent years.
