By BETH HARRIS AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES — Teoscar Hernández will be in right field for the Dodgers next season when the World Series champions try to defend their title.
Hernández was at Dodger Stadium on Friday afternoon after agreeing last week to rejoin the team on a $66 million, three-year contract, with the outfielder and the team sounding thrilled to reunite.
“I had my mind clear that I wanted to come back and I was going to do anything in my power to make it work and be back with the Dodgers,” Hernández said.
He played last season on a $23.5 million, one-year deal and proved his value by becoming an All-Star and winning the Home Run Derby along with a third career Silver Slugger, which earned him a $1 million bonus. The native of the Dominican Republic capped it all by helping the Dodgers beat the New York Yankees in the World Series.
Hernández’s new deal includes a club option of $15 million for 2028 with a $6.5 million buyout, $23.5 million in deferred money and a $23 million signing bonus. He said he had offers from other teams that would have netted him an additional $5 million to $6 million.
“For me, money wasn’t an issue,” he said.
He called the Dodgers “different” than other teams.
“They give me the confidence. I didn’t get that really in other places,” Hernández said. “They trust me in everything that I can give them. That was one of the biggest things for me, that pushed me to do the best job that I can do in a Dodgers uniform.”
Manager Dave Roberts welcomed the return of Hernández, whose contributions to the team were immediate last season.
“It’s not just about getting the most talented players. You’ve got to be good on the field and you’ve got to play the game a certain way,” he said. “What that does is it makes people around you better, it holds teammates accountable. For us, Teo checked every single box.”
Hernández, 32, hit .272 with a career-high 33 home runs and 99 RBIs, a .339 on-base percentage and a .501 slugging percentage in 154 games last season.
In the postseason, he batted .250 with three homers, 12 RBIs and 10 walks and reached base safely in 15 of 16 games. He struggled during the six-game National League Championship Series against the New York Mets, going 2 for 21 with one RBI, but that was after he hit .333 with seven RBIs in a five-game Division Series against San Diego. He hit .350 in the World Series against the Yankees – including a two-run double in the fifth inning of Game 5 for a 5-all tie before the Dodgers clinched the title with a 7-6 victory.
“He always put the team first and you could see that there was a real love of the game that he brought to the field each and every day,” Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said. “I do think because of the way he plays with such passion and joy, when those big moments came up, it was something that he really cherished and was able to put the team first and slow the heartbeat down and do whatever was needed in that situation.”
Hernandez, 32, is a career .263 hitter with 192 homers and 572 RBIs in 965 games for the Houston Astros (2016-17), Toronto Blue Jays (2017-22), Seattle Mariners (2023) and Dodgers.
Hernández will be in right field with Mookie Betts moving back to shortstop. Newcomer Michael Conforto will be in left.
Hernández was embraced by Dodgers fans and their support didn’t go unnoticed. He got emotional when thanking the fans during the World Series celebration at Dodger Stadium after the club’s championship parade.
“I play this game to win,” he told the fans that day. “And the Dodgers gave me the opportunity to come here so I could help this organization, this team, these people, this city, win a championship. You guys made this dream come true. Thank you for making me a world champion.”
He reiterated that appreciation on Friday.
“I appreciate since the first day that I got here Dodgers fans were cheering for me,” he said. “They were giving me the support that I need to have the season that I have last year. When you have that support as a player, you have to give 110 percent every day.”
