Wild rumor hints Yankees’ Teoscar Hernández signing imminent at Winter Meetings
Uh oh. Have Yankees fans found their own @BeyondAvgMick? Because, one day into a desperate Winter Meetings, it seems that a Twitter account that nailed one recent news story has turned a bunch of jilted New Yorkers into believers.
In Mick’s case, his hat was hung on the Bruins firing Jim Montgomery, something everyone knew was happening, but couldn’t pinpoint when. Unsubstantiated internet claims indicate that Mick tweeted about Montgomery’s firing repeatedly, deleting the messages until he was correct. Still, technically, he got there first.
For Yankees fans? The rumor mill’s spinning out around Teoscar Hernández, the slugging World Series champion who just took their lunch. Hernández, one of the few “grip it and rip it” sluggers left on the market, has mostly been tied to the Red Sox and Dodgers, the same two teams that battled over him last season. However, the Yankees popped in there at the start of the weekend pre-Soto decision, and now they’ve got a Dominican reporter in their corner, who claimed on Monday night that the two sides were preparing to announce a deal over the next few hours.
Next day? Still no deal. But, again, like the much-maligned Mick … this guy nailed the ridiculous Juan Soto contract figure of $800 million several hours before Bill Madden. Could it be … ?
The reality of the situation is that the Dodgers and Hernández, seemingly once at the edge of a done deal, have hit a snag in their negotiations. Last season, Hernández settled for a one-year deal in LA at a slightly elevated rate from the qualifying offer over a two-year contract in Boston. He wanted to play for Alex Cora and loves Fenway Park, but believed in the Dodgers’ chances of success more than the Red Sox.
Good call; his Dodgers won the World Series in five games, he was integral to the clubhouse, and he posted a 134 wRC+, dominating offensively after losing his way slightly in Seattle. Now 32 years old, Hernández certainly wants more security; if the Yankees do, in fact, have a deal on the horizon, it’s likely for 4+ years.
Downside? Hernández is an imperfect fit, and might force Aaron Judge back to center field, despite Brian Cashman very helpfully saying that Judge would likely be in right next year on Monday’s YES Hot Stove show. He’s also a right-handed bat, which would leave New York scrambling for balance once again.
Upside? He mashes, and the Yankees just lost a huge lineup component in an inadequate market for finding an offensive superstar. These rumors probably aren’t true, but if they are … we’ll get used to it pretty quickly. After all, he’d still get to play in Fenway plenty — for the good guys.
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