Right-handed outfielder Teoscar Hernandez has been released from Major League Baseball.

On October 15, Hernandez turned 32.

Hernandez is coming off an excellent season with the World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers, when he hit .272, with 32 doubles, two triples and 33 home runs, while driving in 99 runs in 652 plate appearances.

Hernandez slashed .272/.339/.501/.840 as a very consistent, slugging outfielder for the Dodgers.

Hernandez hit three home runs in the postseason; including two in the National League Division Series against San Diego, and one in the World Series, against the New York Yankees. He had 15 postseason hits in 71 plate appearances, covering 16 games.

Hernandez declined the Dodgers’ qualifying offer of a one-year, $21.05 million contract.

If a player declines a qualifying offer and signs with another team, his original team receives a compensatory draft pick.

The Dodgers most likely want to keep Hernandez. But at what price? And for how long?

But aren’t they also interested in Juan Soto, running backs Corbin Burnes and Roki Sasaki among other star free agents?

Perhaps. But the Dodgers certainly have the financial wherewithal to attract and sign several high-profile free agents.

About Teoscar Hernandez:

In February 2011, Hernandez signed with the Houston Astros as an international free agent from the Dominican Republic.

Hernandez received a $20,000 signing bonus from the Astros.

Hernandez made his debut in center field with the Astros on August 12, 2016. He recorded two hits in the game, including a home run.

The Astros traded Hernandez to the Toronto Blue Jays in July 2017.

It was in Toronto where Hernandez began to show his power. He played parts of six seasons with the Blue Jays, hitting 129 home runs and driving in 369 runs in 609 games. He had 2,419 plate appearances with Toronto and hit .263.

Hernandez made his first All-Star team with the Blue Jays in 2021, when he finished the season with 32 homers and 116 RBIs.

Hernandez went to the Seattle Mariners in a November 2022 trade.

After spending just one season with the Mariners, hitting 26 homers and driving in 93 runs, Hernandez signed with the Dodgers as a free agent.

After his outstanding season, one in which he made the National League All Star Team, Hernandez has now elected to become a free agent again.

Hernandez won the 2024 All Star Home Run Derby, which was another sign of his amazing power and endurance.

Hernandez has been awarded Silver Slugger Awards in 2020, 2021, and again this past season.

For this veteran scout, Teoscar Hernandez remains one of the most underrated sluggers in the game.

Potential suitors:

With his outstanding power, there should be no shortage of MLB teams interested in signing Teoscar Hernandez.

1- Los Angeles Dodgers

You’d think the Dodgers wouldn’t want to leave 30-plus homers on the table. Especially from a batsman like Teoscar.

The Dodgers are always on the lookout for power hitters, and they may want to concentrate more on getting Juan Soto.

But the Dodgers seem like a logical option to land Hernandez in a multi-year deal.

2- Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles have reverted to shorter height and spacing in their left field wall.

That change in field dimensions will be attractive to a power threat like Hernandez.

Baltimore could always use more veteran presence on offense.

For this scout, Teoscar fits nicely in Baltimore.

3- New York Yankees

Always looking to improve their team, the Yankees will be in a battle to keep Juan Soto. What if he leaves?

Teoscar makes a lot of sense for the Yankees, with or without Soto.

The Yankees could be the big stage Teoscar seeks in free agency.

4- Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox would like to be relevant again.

Teoscar would bring a much needed big bat to the middle of their lineup.

The green monster in left field would get plenty of new dents with Teoscar in the lineup.

The Red Sox might just spend what it takes to sign a slugger like Teoscar Hernandez.