Dodgers need to move fast on a Kiké Hernández reunion as rival teams show interest

World Series - New York Yankees v Los Angeles Dodgers - Game 1
World Series - New York Yankees v Los Angeles Dodgers - Game 1 | Harry How/GettyImages

The Dodgers' roster is filled to capacity and stacked with some of the best talent in baseball, but there's one key piece missing, who both fans and players are desperate to see return.

Kiké Hernández is still a free agent, but fans at DodgerFest this past weekend made their desire for the front office to re-sign him known. As GM Brandon Gomes was speaking, "Kiké! Kiké! Kiké!" chants rang out through the crowd (subscription required).

Gomes tried to reassure fans that the Dodgers would "never close the door" on Hernández, who's made it clear that his priority is coming back to the team in 2025. That interest seemed sort of one-sided up until Gomes clarified, especially after the Dodgers signed Hyeseong Kim to ostensibly do the superutility work that's been Hernández's job for most of his eight seasons in LA.

Although Hernández is still floating around on the market, it makes sense that other teams would be interested in getting his versatility on their roster. According to the New York Post's Mark W. Sanchez, the Yankees have show interest in both Hernández and fellow free agent Yoán Moncada.

Yankees express interest in Kiké Hernández as Dodgers fans clamor for his return

Sanchez wrote that the Yankees "have inquired on Hernández" but also acknowledged that it was most likely that he ends up back in LA. The delay isn't unprecedented; he didn't re-sign last season until Feb. 26, after the Dodgers were able to shuffle some players over to the 60-day IL and avoid a complicated roster crunch that would require them to DFA someone off of the 40-man roster.

It's likely that it'll work out like this again this year. Teams can start moving players to the IL at the start of spring training and while a late signing probably isn't ideal for Hernández, it seems like he'd take any offer the Dodgers are willing to give him and whenever they decide to give it.

The Yankees, along with the Tigers, Angels, and Giants, were also interested in Hernández last offseason, and Hernández even said that his decision-making came down to the Yankees and Dodgers before he came back to LA, citing family considerations and the Dodgers' guarantee that he would start against left-handed pitching. That could be the case again this season with Kim on the bench with a lefty bat.

It's unsurprising that other teams have been checking in with Hernández, but it will also be unsurprising if he re-signs with the Dodgers.

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