As Passan stated, the deal also includes a fourth-year option for $15 million, a little more than $23 million in deferred money and a $23 million signing bonus.
Although Hernandez was a huge catalyst toward the Dodgers winning the 2024 World Series, the two sides were unable to land on a new deal until now, despite the outfielder’s desire to return to the team.
The free agent market valued Hernandez too low to sign a long-term deal when he first signed with the Dodgers before the 2024 season, which resulted in him signing a one-year, $23.5 million contract with $8.5 million deferred.
Hernandez improved in nearly every statistical category in 2024 in comparison to the 2023 season with the Seattle Mariners.
In fewer at-bats, Hernandez had a .272 average, 33 home runs, 99 RBIs, 32 doubles and 84 runs. The home runs and RBIs were both career highs for Hernandez.
Hernandez’s World Series heroics may have been the biggest highlight of his 2024 season. Hernandez hit a two-run double in the Game 5 title clincher and hit a Game 2 home run, which gave Los Angeles a lead that it held the rest of the game.
Of the 125 hitters that have at least 2,500 plate appearances since 2018, Hernandez is 17th in home runs, 21st in RBIs and 40th in OPS+.
After losing ace Walker Buehler on a $21 million deal with the Boston Red Sox in free agency, the Dodgers were able to sign Blake Snell to pair with the talented pitchers still on the roster for next season. Los Angeles also re-signed top reliever Blake Treinen. By signing Hernandez to a new deal, the Dodgers now have recently acquired Michael Conforto at right field and Hernandez likely at left field.
The deferred money should come as no surprise, given $680 million of Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million was deferred, in addition to Mookie Betts ($115 million), Will Smith ($50 million), Freddie Freeman ($57 million), Snell ($62 million) and Tommy Edman ($25 million).
After taking advantage of the one-year deal, Hernandez returns to the Dodgers on the heels of a career year and a World Series title to go with it.
