Teoscar Hernandez Would Mash In Fenway Park
Free Agent Outfielder Teoscar Hernandez has been tied to the Boston Red Sox during the 2024 offseason. With talks stalling when Boston traded for Tyler O’Neill; from St. Louis, things seemed to have accelerated with the Red Sox still searching for another right-handed power bat; Hernandez fits that bill.
With other players like Jorge Soler and Justin Turner, who was with Boston last year, still on the market, it has its sights set on Hernandez once again. Entering his age-31 season this year, Teoscar Hernandez would do some damage for the Red Sox if they can land him.
Over the last few seasons, Teoscar Hernandez has been a premier power bat the Red Sox know very well. With five seasons of his career hitting home runs for the Blue Jays; in those seasons Hernandez was good for a .263 average, 24 home runs and 70 RBIs with an OPS+ of 122 per season. The two-time silver slugger had his career season in 2021 finishing 11th in MVP voting batting .296, 32 homers and 116 RBIs.
The Mariners traded for Teoscar Hernandez before the 2023 season and he had a down season by his standards. In a contract year, he set career lows in slugging percentage (.435), OPS (.741) and OPS+ (106). He also had an increase in strikeouts with 211, third-most in the league.
On the other side of the coin, Hernandez had his third straight season of at least 25 doubles and 25 home runs. He is undoubtedly going to get picked up, power can play anywhere in baseball. However, going from a more hitter-friendly environment in Toronto to a pitchers’ park in Seattle showed in his home/away splits according to baseball reference:
Fit in Boston:
Hernandez’s numbers increased across the board away from Seattle. Put him in Fenway Park for half of the year and he would do some absolute damage.
Fenway has done wonders for players like Hunter Renfroe in recent years. Boston is a place Hernandez has played well in. In 45 career games at Fenway Park, Hernandez has a .282 average, 14 home runs and 44 RBIs with a .950 OPS. Hernandez would sure up the outfield alongside Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela, and O’Neill. Masataka Yoshida would be the DH going forward.
According to Spotrac, Hernandez’s contract value is about four years, $66.3 million. The Red Sox may be able to get a better deal for him. However, this should be a done deal very soon because the fit seems too good to pass up. A two- to three-year deal with options would be a great signing.
Especially for a guy who can have some elite offensive output in Boston. Adding in the power department, protection in that lineup for Rafael Devers, and productive outfield depth are all addressed with one signing.
Not to mention being able to trade an outfielder for a starting pitcher. This Red Sox organization is in desperate need of some off-season moves. Bringing in Teoscar Hernandez is a step forward with many more issues still plaguing this team from being legit. I know for a fact Hernandez would be a monster with the Red Sox. Get it done!
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