MLB Rumors: Red Sox Showing Interest In Free-Agent Slugger

The Boston Red Sox came narrowly close to signing Teoscar Hernández last offseason before he decided to take the offer the Los Angeles Dodgers gave him.

With Hernández back on the free-agent market after winning a World Series with the Dodgers, all signs are pointing to the Red Sox making another run at the right-handed slugger.

MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported Thursday that the Red Sox are interested in bringing aboard Hernández. It’s the second time this week an MLB reporter linked Boston to Hernández with ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez seeing it as a realistic possibility that the Red Sox are aggressive in their pursuit of the 32-year-old outfielder.

Hernández revealed the Red Sox offered him a two-year, $28 million deal last year, which was more than the one-year, $23.5 million contract he signed to join the Dodgers. Hernández seemingly wanted more years on his deal and when that didn’t come from the Red Sox, he decided to bet on himself and give himself the chance to re-enter the free-agent market this offseason.

It sure worked out for Hernández as the nine-year veteran turned in one of the best seasons of his career. He set a career-high with 33 home runs while also collecting 99 RBIs and batting .272. He added 12 stolen bases, but did strike out 188 times, the second-most in his career after whiffing 211 times during his last season with the Seattle Mariners in 2023.

Hernández would give Boston the right-handed power bat in the middle of the order it seeks and provide an upgrade over Tyler O’Neill, who is a free agent as well. But once again, the Red Sox aren’t the only team after Hernández’s valuable services.

According to Morosi, Boston has competition from within the division to land Hernández with the Baltimore Orioles among other teams showing interest in the two-time All-Star.

The Orioles certainly have to be an intriguing destination for Hernández. They are better positioned at the moment than the Red Sox to contend for a World Series title giving Hernández another chance to win a ring.

But Hernández’s powerful right-handed swing seems better suited for Fenway Park and the Red Sox appear intent on not letting another chance to sign Hernández slip past them.