Kiké Hernández fakes out Dodgers fans with Instagram message minutes before reunion

Against all odds, superutilityman and known good vibes facilitator Kiké Hernández is a Dodger once more. After a prolonged free agency that included the Angels, Twins, Padres, and Giants as potential suitors, the Dodgers shocked the baseball world (again) by trading Manuel Margot to the Twins in return for a top prospect in High-A, which cleared 40-man space for Hernández, whose one-year deal was reported only minutes after the trade.

Prevailing wisdom said that Hernández desperately wanted to go back to the Dodgers (the Angels were openly concerned about that when they expressed interest in him), but prevailing assumptions thought there just wasn't a place for him anymore. But sometimes the good guys win, and Hernández is, above everything, a really good guy.

He threw some intrigue in the lead up to the announcement himself by posting a farewell video to LA originally from his free agency following the 2020 season. He reposted it to his Instagram story just two hours before the re-signing was announced, putting us on Hernández-to-Angels/Twins/Padres/Giants watch. Then, the Dodgers news came down, and he followed up on his goodbye video to say ... "sike."

Kiké Hernández says goodbye the Dodgers on Instagram minutes before re-signing

Getting Hernández back only strengthens the Dodgers' bench further. Hernández, Chris Taylor, Miguel Rojas, and Miguel Vargas are all utility players (or are retooling to become utility players), which gives the Dodgers a wealth of good backup options if anyone in the superstar lineup gets injured or needs a day off. When Hernández was brought back in a trade from the Red Sox last year, it gave them another stopgap for shortstop and second as Rojas and Vargas wavered, but more than anything, it sparked some life into the Dodgers' clubhouse.

Hernández told David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports that he'd had a conversation with Austin Barnes, who commented on the loss of both Hernández and Clayton Kershaw at Dodgers' camp. Hernández said, "The old captain was starting to feel a little lonely. I'm coming in for the rescue."

Dodgers spring camp has exuded positive, fun energy. Clearly, the whole team is on a high after their offseason and are having some well-deserved fun together before the real work begins. Hernández is the perfect re-addition into that mix. He's a guy who literally plays best when he's with the Dodgers because he loves the team and loves LA. If you're at Dodger Stadium when Hernández makes his return, give him a well deserved standing-o.