Cody Snavely
The Dodgers are under two weeks away from the official start of the 2024 MLB season, with pitchers and catchers reporting on February 9th. However, while the season is close, many free-agent players remain on the market. One such player is fan-favorite Enrique Hernández.
In a recent report from the Athletic, Ken Rosenthal reported that Hernandez might prefer a reunion with the Dodgers rather than joining the freeway rival Anaheim Angels.
The Angels continue to show interest in free agent Kiké Hernández, but fear he prefers a return to the Dodgers, according to a source briefed on the team’s discussions.
Ken Rosenthal via The Athletic
With the Dodgers position player group set, is there room for Hernandez, and if not, who is the odd man out?
The curious case of Manuel Margot
In December, the Dodgers set the offseason ablaze with the signings of Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a trade for Tyler Glasnow from the Rays, and the acquisition of right-handed outfielder Manuel Margot.
Margot is set to be a platoon player, pairing with left-handed swingers Jason Heyward and perhaps James Outman. Margot, known more for his defensive value and sprint speed than his bat, would be a change of pace, as the Dodgers have not had a speed threat since Trea Turner in 2022. Dodgers General Manager Brandon Gomes also shared that same sentiment, saying
The fact that he’s an elite defender and puts together a good at-bat in the box is very helpful
Brandon Gomes via Zoom
However, besides those words from Gomes after the Dodgers made the trade official, we have not heard much buzz about Margot. The Dodgers value his speed, defense, and potential at the plate against left-handed pitching. Margot, 29, is a career .281/.341/.420 hitter against left-handed pitching and provides L.A. with a disciplined approach at the plate. Margot can also be an asset on the basepaths, having stolen 91 bases in 130 attempts over his career.
Due to earn $10 million in 2024, Margot will only cost the Dodgers $6 million, as the Tampa Bay Rays will cover $4 million of his salary. This is a big deal as since the Dodgers are over the third CBT (Competitive Balance Tax) threshold, they will be taxed 110% for any more potential signings. If the Dodgers value speed and defense, it may be their best bet for the 2024 season.
Does a Hernández reunion make sense?
When the Dodgers signed right-handed hitter Teoscar Hernández to a 1-year $23.5 million contract, all hopes of a potential reunion with Kiké seemed lost. However, the recent report from the Athletic has reignited the speculation.
Hernández, required at last year’s trade deadline, was quite the pickup for the Dodgers. Kiké’s time in Boston had plenty of peaks and valleys, and after a horrible start to the 2023 season, which saw him put up a slash line of .222/.279/.320, the Red Sox were rumored to release him or trade him. The Dodgers decided to take a chance on a familiar player in hopes of sparking the good baseball they believed was left.
Upon joining the Dodgers, Kiké put up respectable numbers, batting .262 with an OPS of .731 and OPS+ of 95. However, the defensive versatility shined for Hernández, who slotted in innings at 3B, SS, 2B, LF, and CF. This is nothing new to Dodgers fans who knew this is what made the combination of Chris Taylor and Hernández so unique.
What makes Hernández more valuable is his ability to play all around the diamond. The Dodgers lack infield depth on the bench, so there is no “game plan” set if a minor or major injury occurs. While Margot brings the speed on the base paths and shines defensively in the outfield, Hernández’s ability to slot in the infield sets him over the top.
Pros & Cons
Both players have the skill sets that make them unique. For Margot, it is his speed and elite defense. In 2023, Margot ranked in the 75th percentile in OAA (Outs Above Average) and the 75th percentile in sprint speed.
Hernández, In 2023, struggled defensively, landing in the 1st percentile in OAA. Unfortunately for Hernández, he is also not a fast runner, as he ran in the 37th percentile in sprint speed.
However, Hernández shines brightest in October. In his postseason career, he has a .264 batting average, a .893 OPS, 13 HR, and 29 RBI. Hernández was also one of the Dodgers’ lone bright spots in the 2023 postseason, and his stats in October should show some merit for a reunion.
While Hernández seems to mash in October, Manuel Margot’s speed could be a game-changer late in games as a pinch runner or defensive replacement.
The decision?
The Dodgers are in no rush for a Hernández reunion as their priorities seem set on the bullpen for a high-end relief pitcher. However, if the Dodgers bring back Hernández, they must decide on Margot or Chris Taylor, as the 40-man and potential 26-man is essentially full.
However, as mentioned previously, since the Dodgers are in the third tier of the CBT threshold, they are taxed at 110% for any contract after that. So, if the Dodgers did get Hernández for a cheap one-year $6 million deal, it would be worth over $12 million for the CBT payroll.
Even after all of that, I would slightly lean toward a Hernández opinion over Margot; however, as we get closer to spring training, a potential pairing becomes increasingly unlikely.
