The Major League Baseball off-season has been a bit slower than in years past, but one of the best outfielders available may be nearing a decision about his future. Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reported on Wednesday afternoon that the Boston Red Sox have been the most aggressive team in the pursuit of former Toronto Blue Jay Teoscar Hernández.
Cotillo mentioned that the Los Angeles Angels have also expressed quite a bit of interest in signing the 31-year-old, and a four-year deal could be in play for the one-time All-Star.
He played his first and only season with the Seattle Mariners in 2023, slashing .258/.305/.435/ with 26 home runs, 93 runs batted in and 38 walks in 678 plate appearances. Hernández had hit 22 home runs or more in five consecutive 162-game seasons, but with that has come high numbers of punch outs. He struck out a career-high 211 times last season, which ranked three among qualified hitters.
Hernández, along with Cody Bellinger, are at the top of the list when it comes to free agent outfielders. Other names to watch out for include Joc Pederson, Tommy Pham, Michael A. Taylor and Adam Duvall. The New York Mets have shown interest in a player like Taylor this winter, but the acquisition of former Milwaukee Brewer Tyrone Taylor may change that.
