There was a time where it looked like Teoscar Hernandez might be a long-term star for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Instead, Hernandez is opposing Toronto in the World Series as a slugger for the Los Angeles Dodgers. When the Fall Classic gets underway Friday in Toronto, it’ll be a return to the Rogers Centre for Hernandez.
It’s been a bit of a winding baseball journey overall for Hernandez since leaving the Dominican Republic. He was a well-regarded prospect for the Houston Astros, then came to the Blue Jays. He has since made a stop with the Seattle Mariners before ending up in Hollywood.
Hernandez joined the Dodgers for 2024 and got a World Series ring, and now he’s trying to repeat, against his former team this time.
MORE: This 27-year old infielder will get a World Series ring no matter whether Dodgers or Blue Jays win
Why did the Blue Jays trade Teoscar Hernandez?
The Blue Jays traded Hernandez away after the 2023 seaosn.
He had one year remaining on his contract, and Toronto opted to pursue players who they would control longer term.
The Blue Jays sent Hernandez to the Mariners for reliever Erik Swanson and pitching prospect Adam Macko.
They would’ve had to pay Hernandez approximately $14 million in arbitration for the next season and chose to save that money instead, rather than risk losing Hernandez the next season for nothing.
How did the Dodgers get Teoscar Hernandez?
Hernandez spent that final season of his contract with the Mariners, then hit free agency.
He first signed a one-year, “prove it” deal with the Dodgers for 2024. He proceeded to prove it with 33 home runs and 99 RBI.
That earned Hernandez a three-year, $66 million deal to start with the 2025 season and keep Hernandez in L.A.
His numbers declined a bit this season, but Hernandez still had 29 doubles, 25 homers and 89 RBI in 134 regular season games.
He’s still a fearsome slugger, one the Blue Jays will have to contend with in the World Series.
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