LOS ANGELES — Kiké Hernández’s first stint with the Dodgers was extraordinarily profitable. He turned a fan favourite over time and finally received a World Series in his ultimate season in 2020.
The Dodgers at the moment are taking an opportunity that his second stint can be simply as profitable. On Tuesday, the Dodgers accomplished a three-player commerce with the Red Sox to accumulate Hernández, sending right-handers Nick Robertson and Justin Hagenman.
TRADE DETAILS
Dodgers get: UTIL Kiké Hernández
Red Sox get: RHPs Nick Robertson and Justin Hagenman
“We’re excited to get Kiké back here,” stated Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts. “He obviously helped us win a championship and had his best years here in a Dodger uniform. I know the fans are excited. He’s got a great relationship with the fans.”
Like Roberts stated, Hernández did, certainly, have his greatest seasons as a member of the Dodgers however he has struggled over the past two seasons. The 2023 marketing campaign has been essentially the most difficult of his profession, no less than up thus far.
In 86 video games with the Red Sox this season, Hernández is hitting .222 with six homers. His .599 OPS could be the bottom of his profession.
Given his struggles, why did the Dodgers determine to commerce for him? The first motive is familiarity. The Dodgers consider reuniting him with the hitting coaches and a few of his previous teammates may assist him faucet into one thing. Los Angeles’ hitting coaches Robert Van Scoyoc and Aaron Bates additionally noticed some issues on tape that might assist Hernández get nearer to his previous self. That, after all, stays to be seen.
“I still stand by, he’s one of the most talented baseball players I’ve been around,” Roberts stated. “I’m excited to see him and [have him] blend in with this ballclub. It’s a very unselfish group, a team-first oriented. I think that Kiké can definitely help this group.”
Offensively, Hernández will play principally in opposition to left-handed pitching. General supervisor Brandon Gomes stated he spoke with Hernández and made certain each events have been clear that he could be utilized in a platoon function. Hernández has struggled in opposition to southpaws this season, posting only a .652 OPS. Over the course of his profession, nevertheless, Hernández is an .811 OPS hitter in opposition to lefties.
“His versatility and if things happen injury-wise, he provides coverage in a lot of different areas,” Gomes stated. “He’s eager to work with our hitting guys and get back to the offensive production that we know he’s capable of.”
Defensively, Hernández has struggled mightily this season, particularly at shortstop. He has graded out as one of many worst shortstops with 14 errors on the place. His -13 outs above common ranking on Baseball Savant is the second lowest at shortstop within the Majors, behind the Guardians’ Amed Rosario.
With the Dodgers, although, Hernández isn’t anticipated to play a lot shortstop. Instead, he’ll see most of his time in heart discipline and second base. The Dodgers have leaned on Yonny Hernández and Jonny Deluca to deal with the duties in opposition to lefties over the past week.
In the top, the Dodgers are taking an opportunity. But it’s one they see as low threat, excessive reward. Only time will inform how a lot it’ll repay.
“He’s a floor raiser, certainly,” Roberts stated. “But if he plays the way that we expect him to play and how he has played for us, it’s a ceiling raiser.”
Content Source: www.mlb.com