According to AP source, the Dodgers want to re-sign outfielder Teoscar Hernández for $66 million over three years

Associated Press

Teoscar Hernández is returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The free agent outfielder has agreed to a three-year, $66 million contract with the reigning World Series champions, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press late Friday night.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was pending a successful physical.

After initially seeking a three-year deal last offseason that never materialized in free agency, Hernández and his representatives focused on getting the best short-term deal from the best interested team. That led to a one-year, $23.5 million contract with the Dodgers, where he joined a strong roster that included Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.

Hernández wanted to play well into October, and he did, becoming a World Series champion during an All-Star season, becoming a Home Run Derby champion, and winning his third career Silver Slugger, the earned him a $1 million bonus.

The Dominican outfielder had a major impact on the Dodgers winning their second World Series title in five seasons. In 154 regular-season games, he hit a career-high .272 with 33 home runs and 99 RBIs.

Hernández had made it clear that he wanted to stay in Los Angeles and said that was his priority. He became emotional as he thanked fans during the World Series celebration at Dodger Stadium following the club’s championship parade.

“I play this game to win,” he told fans that day. “And the Dodgers gave me the opportunity to come here so I could help this organization, this team, these people, this city win a championship. “You made that dream come true. Thank you for making me a world champion.”

Now they can try again, with Hernández likely moving from left to right field, his best defensive position. There are plans for Betts to move back to the infield next season.

Hernández turned 32 during the playoffs, when he hit .250 with three home runs and 12 RBIs in 16 postseason games. He struggled during the six-game National League Championship Series against the New York Mets, going 2 for 21 with one RBI. That was after he hit .333 with seven RBIs in a five-game Division Series against San Diego and before he hit .350 in the World Series against the Yankees – including a two-run double in the fifth inning of Game 5 for a 5 There was a tie before the Dodgers secured the title with a 7-6 win.

Hernández has a career batting average of .263 with 192 home runs, 572 RBIs and 65 outfield assists for Toronto (2016-22), Seattle (2023) and the Dodgers. His first All-Star season came in 2021 with the Blue Jays, when he hit 32 home runs and set career highs with his .296 average and 116 RBIs.

His 2024 contract with Los Angeles included $8.5 million in deferred money, paid in 10 equal installments on July 1 from 2030 to 2039.

___

AP Baseball Writer Mike Fitzpatrick contributed to this report.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb