Toescar’s Value Recognized: Dodgers Pay Bonus to Hernandez, Reflecting His…
Teoscar Hernández rejected more lucrative offers in free agency last winter in order to sign a one-year, $23.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Hernández sought an opportunity to play for a World Series and believed the organization’s hitting coaches could help him rebound from a down 2023 season. The Dodgers saw reason for optimism as well, particularly given Hernández’s splits indicated his struggles were connected to T-Mobile Park.
The one-year contract wound up being wildly successful for Hernández and the Dodgers. He provided the team with a power bat from the right side and became a beloved emotional leader in the Dodgers clubhouse.
Hernández and the Dodgers continue to negotiate a new contract, and he’s received interest from the likes of the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees as well.
The Dodgers, Red Sox and Yankees each were involved in the Juan Soto sweepstakes before he signed a record-breaking contract with the New York Mets.
Manager Dave Roberts has openly stated he’s hopeful the Dodgers re-sign Hernández. Likewise, Hernández made it clear heading into free agency that remaining with the Dodgers was his preference.
Teoscar Hernández contract details
Hernández’s one-year contract paid him a $15 million salary for the 2024 season and included $8.5 million in deferred money. Hernández is to receive $850,000 every July 1 from 2030-2039.
The deferred salary is part of the more than $1 billion the Dodgers are committed to paying players at a later date.
Bonuses
Additional details in Hernández’s Dodgers contract was an opportunity to earn $3 million if finishing in the top five of National League MVP voting, $2 million for placing sixth to 10th, or $500,000 if falling between 11th to 15th place.
Meanwhile, Hernández did trigger a $1 million bonus for winning a Silver Slugger Award. According to multiple reports, that was due payable — in addition to any other possible performance bonuses garnered — to the 32-year-old on Dec. 15.
