Dodgers Rumors: 2 AL East teams showing interest in stealing Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernández wants to be a Dodger for the rest of his career, and the Dodgers should probably grant him that wish. During his first season in LA, he had his best year at the plate since 2021. He was an All-Star, the Home Run Derby champion, and the originator of the sunflower seed shower home run celebration. He loves LA, and LA loves him right back.

The Dodgers extended the qualifying offer to him on Monday. Although it's unlikely he'll take it (the qualifying offer is worth $21.05 million, and he made $23.5 million this year), there's obviously some interest within the front office in keeping him around -- or making it tougher for him to leave for free.

If he rejects the offer, the Dodgers shouldn't take advantage of the fact that Hernández has made it clear he wants to stay in LA, lest they run the risk of losing him to an aggressive team that might willing to offer multiple years and a lot of money.

According to Jon Morosi, the Red Sox (who were on his tail last year) and Orioles, among others, have already communicated with Hernández's representation. And it's time for the Dodgers to take them seriously.

Dodgers might run the risk of losing Teoscar Hernández to Red Sox, Orioles if they wait too long on a decision to keep him

Hernández has already spurned Boston once (and they never really got over it), even though they reportedly offered him a multi-year deal in free agency last year. He wanted to go to a team that would give him the best chance of winning the World Series, and the Red Sox came in dead last in the AL East for two years before finishing third, with a flat .500 winning percentage, this season. But Hernández is becoming something of a white whale for them, so the interest and perhaps a willingness to up their offer could be enough to sway him if the Dodgers stall.

The Orioles will be looking for a replacement for Anthony Santander if he also rejects the qualifying offer. Baltimore has a bit more of an argument for themselves as a team capable of winning the World Series, even though they flamed out in the Wild Card round this season. With new ownership at the helm who are prepared to spend a lot more than the Angelos family was, they shouldn't be underestimated.

At the GM Meetings this week, Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes said that they'll be talking to Hernández's camp "ASAP," which is reassuring. There's confirmed interest on both sides involving him staying in LA; they just need to hammer out some numbers and make it happen.