JUST IN: Yankees Sign 2-Time All-Star Outfielder from Dodgers in blockbuster just now after departing

The New York Yankees are aiming to re-sign Juan Soto, but if they’re unable to, they plan to pursue an outfielder in free agency. Soto is the top free agent, and Ryan Finkelstein of Just Baseball has predicted he’ll sign a 15-year, $645 million contract with the New York Mets. In this scenario, Finkelstein sees the Yankees signing Teoscar Hernandez to a four-year, $85 million deal.

Finkelstein described Hernandez’s previous deal as a “prove-it” contract, where he had the opportunity to showcase his abilities and compete for a championship with a top-tier team. The gamble paid off, as Hernandez had an All-Star season and won his first World Series ring. Now entering his age-32 season, he’s looking for a lucrative long-term contract. Since 2019, Hernandez has hit more than 25 home runs in every full season, ranking 15th in MLB with 158 home runs during that period.

Many teams will be interested in adding Hernandez’s power to their lineup, but the key factor in negotiations could be which team is willing to offer the longest deal. If the Yankees miss out on Soto, signing Hernandez would be a strong alternative. His powerful bat would help mitigate the loss of Soto while being a more affordable option.

In 2024, Hernandez batted .272 with 33 home runs and 99 RBIs for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He’s a two-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger winner.

 

Yankees Focused on Signing Soto

The New York Yankees’ primary focus this offseason is to re-sign Juan Soto. After acquiring Soto for just one season, owner Hal Steinbrenner hopes to keep him in the Bronx for the long term.

“Our fans really enjoyed having him in New York,” Steinbrenner said. “He was a key part of our World Series run. I know what’s expected of me, and I’ve been listening. Re-signing him has been a priority, and we wouldn’t have traveled out to the West Coast if it wasn’t.”

Despite the priority on Soto, Steinbrenner remains uncertain about the chances of securing him long-term. “No idea,” he said. “We’ll be in the mix. I’ll leave it at that.”

Soto had an impressive 2024 season with the Yankees, batting .288 with 41 home runs and 109 RBIs.

Hernandez Says Re-Signing With Dodgers Is His Priority

Teoscar Hernandez signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers last offseason, and now he hopes to return to the team. The outfielder became a fan favorite and found success in the lineup, so he’s eager to re-sign with the Dodgers.

“My hopes are really high,” Hernandez said about the possibility of re-signing. “As I’ve said before, the Dodgers are the priority. I’m going to do everything in my power to come back… I want us to be here, I want to be part of this. I’ve had so many great memories here and learned a lot both as a player and a person. It feels amazing to be part of this.”

In the playoffs, Hernandez hit .250 with 3 home runs and 12 RBIs.