The Red Sox came close to signing Teoscar Hernandez, this year’s Home Run Derby winner, over the winter. However, Hernandez revealed that Boston’s final contract offer of two years, $28 million was not good enough for him. Despite his love for the Red Sox and Fenway Park, the 31-year-old outfielder opted to sign a one-year, $23.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers instead.
Hernandez expressed disappointment that the Red Sox couldn’t meet his expectations and ultimately had to make the best decision for himself, his career, and his family. While he would have considered a three-year deal, Boston’s reluctance to increase their offer led him to sign with the Dodgers.
Although Hernandez’s desire to join the Red Sox was evident, the team’s unwillingness to spend significantly in the offseason remains a point of contention. However, halfway through the season, Boston’s outfield has been performing well, thanks to breakout performances from Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu.
While the Red Sox are enjoying success on the field, their lack of winter spending continues to be discussed. Hernandez’s comments shed light on the importance of teams being willing to invest in talent to improve their chances of winning. Whether the Red Sox make significant moves at the trade deadline remains to be seen, but Hernandez’s insights into Boston’s free agency strategy are likely to resonate for some time.
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