Insider provides glimmer of hope for Dodgers re-signing fan favorite

Oct 11, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Enrique Hernandez against the Arizona Diamondbacks during game three of the NLDS for the 2023 MLB playoffs at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Enrique Hernandez against the Arizona Diamondbacks during game three of the NLDS for the 2023 MLB playoffs at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports | Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers have carried the momentum from their World Series championship into an incredibly busy offseason, making key signings like Blake Snell and Tanner Scott, re-signing slugging free agent Teoscar Hernández and landing the top international free agent in Roki Sasaki. However, one key piece of the Dodgers' 2024 roster still remains unsigned for 2025.

Just a few weeks remain before spring training opens, and veteran utility man Kiké Hernández is still a free agent. While his regular-season numbers at the plate are nothing to write home about, Hernández has been vital to the Dodgers' success, playing key roles and coming up big in clutch moments for the World Series- winning 2020 and 2024 squads.

In a recent interview with Dodgers Nation, ESPN MLB insider Buster Olney said that the Dodgers should prioritize re-signing Hernández for 2025 because of the important, yet underrated role he plays as a depth utility player on the roster.

"I think that if you’re a fan and you look at the players and you tune into one game and you imagine them having the same intensity that you did when you played little league, it’s not that way," Olney said. "This is their daily job and they go through ups and downs like the rest of us do where some days you’re really into it and some days you’re not really into it. And so, to have personalities that bring energy to the park like Kiké, that’s incredibly important.”

ESPN insider suggests Dodgers, Kiké Hernández reunion could eventually happen

Hernández appeared in 126 games for the Dodgers in 2024, logging innings at every position on the diamond except right field and catcher. Yes, he even pitched 4 1/3 innings in the Dodgers' 10-1 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on July 9; but we don't have to talk about that one.

When it comes to Hernández (or any free agent, for that matter), money isn't an issue for the Dodgers; it's hard to imagine a 33-year-old utility player commanding more than $3 million for a one-year contract. The primary hang-up for the Dodgers with Hernández is finding him enough at-bats after the offseason addition of international free agent infielder Hyeseong Kim.

Still, after two stints and two World Series titles in Los Angeles, it's hard to imagine the Dodgers without Hernández. If they can find away to bring him back to play a similar role to the one he did in 2024, he would be a welcome addition both on the field and in the clubhouse.

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