Teoscar Hernández's return to the Dodgers feels like an inevitability at this point. He settled on a one-year deal because he wanted to play for a championship team last offseason, despite originally looking for three or four years in free agency. He was an All-Star, won the Home Run Derby, won the World Series, is nominated for a Silver Slugger, very well might receive MVP votes, and he completely endeared himself to Dodgers fans throughout the season.
He hasn't been quiet about wanting to stay in LA, either. He's said multiple times, including during a mic'd up segment during primetime, that his goal is to stay with the Dodgers.
On Monday, the Dodgers took the first, easiest, and most expected step toward keeping him for another year — they extended him the qualifying offer, which would keep him in LA through 2025 on a league-average $21.05 million salary.
If he doesn't accept by Nov. 19 and ends up moving on to another team, the Dodgers would receive a compensatory draft pick in return. Other teams in pursuit of Hernández may not be slightly more wary of a serious pursuit with the draft pick attached.
Dodgers extend $21.05 million qualifying offer to Teoscar Hernández
Hernández made $23.5 million this season (technically $15 million, with the other $8.5 million to be paid out from 2030 through 2039), so he'd be taking a pay cut if he accepts the QO, but he seems to love the Dodgers so much that he might be inclined to take it and secure his future for at least another season. It'd be good news for the Dodgers if he did go that route.
However, this is a guy who deserves a three- or four-year deal even more now than he did last offseason, topped by a pretty big raise from what he made this year. Hope would be far from lost if Hernández declined the offer, but it would send all parties back to the negotiating table and potentially put his future with the team at risk.
The Dodgers would probably be over the moon if he accepts the QO, but the ball's in Hernández's court now.