With a month before spring training opens, the Los Angeles Dodgers have had quite the successful offseason. But there is one free agent the Dodgers must sign before next season: Utility man Kiké Hernández.
When the Dodgers signed Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim, it was speculated the team would use him in a super utility role. Adding another utility man to the roster made a reunion with Hernández seem doubtful. Nevertheless, after Gavin Lux was traded to the Cincinnati Reds, a spot opened for Hernández to return.
In 2024, Hernández slashed .281/.373/.654 with 12 home runs and 42 runs batted in. Just before the All-Star break in July, Hernández started wearing glasses due to a recent diagnosis of astigmatism in his right eye.
The utility man appeared to break out of his slump after the midseason change. In the first half of the season, Hernández batted just .191 with 45 strikeouts and 15 RBIs, but drastically improved at a key time of the year.
Though Hernández endured highs and lows in the regular season, the utility man’s performance in the postseason is a whole different story. Hernández helped the Dodgers seal a Game 5 victory over the San Diego Padres in the NLDS with his solo home run.
Hernández has recorded a batting average of .278 with 64 hits, 15 home runs, 35 runs batted in and 37 runs scored in his postseason career. Hernández has more postseason home runs than MLB legends Alex Rodriguez, Miguel Cabrera, and Chipper Jones.
The beauty of Hernández is his versatility. He can play practically anywhere for the Dodgers, and did so throughout an injury-plagued 2024 season.
When Max Muncy dealt with an oblique injury, Hernández played third. When Freddie Freeman missed time, Hernández played first. When the Dodgers needed an outfielder, Hernández was there. When there were no more relievers in the bullpen, Hernández even took the mound.
Losing Hernández in free agency this offseason would in turn create a void in the clubhouse. Beyond his versatility, his energy is a contributing factor to the success of the team. The Dodgers have created some of the best rosters in baseball for a number of years, but energy played a pivotal role in 2020 and 2024, when the organization won the World Series.
