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Dodgers must open checkbook for Kiké Hernández in key offseason

Adam Weinrib
Adam Weinrib

Dodgers Way

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 27: Enrique Hernandez #14 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after striking out against the Tampa Bay Rays during the eighth inning in Game Six of the 2020 MLB World Series at Globe Life Field on October 27, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

The Dodgers must open their checkbook for Kiké Hernández this offseason, even if the price point is slightly uncomfortable.

This offseason, the Dodgers will stare longingly at the potential departure of two intrinsic parts of their championship roster, as both Justin Turner and Kiké Hernández will hit free agency.

Based on both the cost and versatility of both parties, Los Angeles should extend themselves in order to keep Hernández over Turner, even if the price point ends up slightly uncomfortable.

It’s bizarre to consider these two men leaving the roster concurrently. After all, you’re talking about two players who’ve basically been the steady clutch forces for the most dominant team in the National League, except one has long been the roster’s face (Turner) and the other has often faded into the shadows of the narrative except while actually doing his damage.

Could both return to LA? Sure. Possibly. But if the Dodgers have to choose, they should be prepared to pay the younger, more versatile player in Hernández, who will check more boxes in the years to come.

Hernández, still just 29 years old, hasn’t gotten his due as a full-fledged starter despite emerging as essentially an everyday player since 2018.

His appearances shine differently, though, simply because of how many positions he fills. Turner has lobbied for position changes in the past if it’ll help the team sign marquee free agents that would theoretically “block” him; Hernández doesn’t do the same public lobbying. He simply moves where the team instructs him to, effortlessly filling several gaps at once.

What would a Kiké Hernández contract look like for the Dodgers?

Projecting a Hernández deal is difficult, at this point — like we said, he’s faded into the fabric of the roster in every month except October.

But coming off another showcase postseason, four years for the young Hernández at $12-$14 million per doesn’t feel unreasonable, even though a lot of checkbooks will be barren this offseason.

At that projected cost, the Dodgers can’t let him sneak away while most of the conversation is focused on the much older Turner.

Adam Weinrib

Adam Weinrib

Adam Weinrib is a Content Director on the FanSided network, and has been the co-editor at Yanks Go Yard and Dodgers Way for 4 years. He also co-hosts The Baseball Insiders Podcast twice weekly, alongside FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray, as well as the Yanks Go Yard Podcast. Previously, he was a Senior Editor at 12up.com, and has been covering MLB and NFL for eight years. Previously, he was a headline and features contributor at ClickHole and Onion Sports, as well as the Associate Producer of the ESPN 30 for 30 film "Believeland". An avowed fan of the New York sports teams -- specifically the Yankees -- as well as the North Carolina Tar Heels, you can find Adam complaining mid-game on Twitter, as well as on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn if the game goes really poorly.