Teoscar Hernández’s Contract Demands: A Realistic Solution for the Lagging Red Sox
As the off-season marches on, the Boston Red Sox find themselves in a situation where their roster needs bolstering in several key areas to remain competitive in the AL East. One of the most pressing needs for the club is to add another impactful bat to their lineup. Enter Teoscar Hernández, an outfielder who has consistently been a reliable power hitter for the Toronto Blue Jays over the past several seasons. With the Red Sox lagging behind their division rivals in terms of playoff contention, Hernández’s contract demands should be seen as a feasible and strategic move to improve their chances in 2024 and beyond.
Who is Teoscar Hernández?
Teoscar Hernández is a 31-year-old Dominican outfielder known for his potent bat and strong arm in the outfield. Over the last several seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, Hernández has established himself as one of the most consistent power hitters in the American League. In 2023, he posted a .267 batting average with 25 home runs and 77 RBIs, contributing significantly to the Jays’ lineup. He also has a career .292 on-base percentage and .488 slugging percentage, both solid marks for a player who can offer a powerful bat in the middle of the order.
Hernández’s ability to produce offensively, paired with his reliable defense, makes him a very attractive option for the Red Sox. Notably, the Red Sox have struggled to find consistent offensive contributors outside of Rafael Devers, and Hernández could provide the balance and power they have been lacking, especially considering the unpredictability in their outfield over the last few years.
Why Teoscar Hernández is a Fit for the Red Sox
The Red Sox are in a delicate position after a disappointing 2023 campaign. Finishing in fourth place in the AL East, the team is clearly in need of improvements in both offense and pitching. Hernández’s contract demands should be viewed as more than reasonable considering the potential upside he brings. Here’s why:
- Outfield Stability: The Red Sox have had trouble finding a stable outfield alignment for the last few seasons. With Kiké Hernández’s struggles, Alex Verdugo’s fluctuating performance, and the uncertainty surrounding Jarren Duran’s development, the team has lacked an everyday, reliable presence in the outfield. Hernández’s arrival would give the team a steady presence in the middle of the order while also addressing a key area of weakness in the outfield. He is a much-needed upgrade over the team’s existing options in left and right field.
- Offensive Boost: Hernández is a proven power hitter who could immediately step into the Red Sox’s lineup and offer protection for Devers. While the team has had solid performances from the likes of Justin Turner and Alex Verdugo, Hernández would elevate the team’s overall offensive production, giving them the added power threat they need to keep up with the firepower of other AL East teams like the Yankees and Rays.
- Versatility and Fit: Hernández can play both right and left field, with the ability to shift to designated hitter if necessary. His defensive abilities—though not elite—are respectable, and he provides the kind of balance the Red Sox need in a corner outfield position. This versatility gives the Red Sox flexibility as they continue to search for a more defined role for players like Duran or even the aging Turner, whose defensive limitations are becoming more apparent.
- Postseason Experience: The Red Sox are striving to return to postseason contention, and Hernández brings valuable playoff experience. Having played in the 2020 and 2021 postseasons with Toronto, he understands the stakes and the pressure of high-leverage moments. A player with this type of experience can help anchor a Red Sox lineup that has been inconsistent in clutch situations.
The Market for Teoscar Hernández
As the offseason progresses, several teams will likely be vying for Hernández’s services. While many teams have outfield needs, not all have the same financial flexibility as the Red Sox. Hernández is coming off a one-year, $14 million contract with the Blue Jays and is likely seeking a multi-year deal in the range of $16 million to $20 million per year, based on comparable contracts for power-hitting outfielders in recent seasons. His market value should also reflect his durability (averaging 130+ games over the past five seasons) and ability to contribute offensively in the middle of a lineup.
The Red Sox, despite their recent struggles, remain a big-market team with substantial financial resources. Unlike smaller-market clubs that may shy away from investing in a player like Hernández, the Red Sox are well-positioned to meet his contract demands without breaking the bank. With a payroll that sits well below the league’s luxury tax threshold, they have ample room to make such an acquisition while also addressing other areas of need, such as pitching.
Red Sox Payroll Flexibility
The Red Sox have significant payroll flexibility, especially after the departures of high-salaried players like Xander Bogaerts and the potential for moving or restructuring other contracts. The team’s commitment to Rafael Devers, their star third baseman, will represent a large portion of their budget moving forward, but the Red Sox should still have sufficient room to sign a player like Hernández.
A contract in the range of $16 million to $20 million per year would be well within the Red Sox’s financial capabilities. While it’s unclear how long Hernández would be seeking, a 3–4-year deal worth between $60 million and $80 million is likely to be the ballpark figure for his services. This contract length and value are more than doable for the Red Sox, who could easily fit him into their payroll structure without compromising future flexibility.
Additionally, signing a player like Hernández would keep the Red Sox competitive in the short term while giving them the time and resources to make additional moves to strengthen their pitching staff, another critical need heading into 2024.
The Red Sox’s Need for a Right-Handed Power Bat
One of the biggest holes in the Red Sox lineup in recent years has been the lack of right-handed power. Despite having left-handed hitters like Devers, Turner, and Verdugo, the team has lacked a consistent right-handed power bat to balance the lineup. Hernández’s right-handed power and ability to hit in the middle of the order would give the team a much-needed dynamic, especially against left-handed pitchers.
Hernández’s .295 batting average and 24 home runs against right-handed pitchers in 2023 proves he can be a threat from both sides of the plate. This would also allow the Red Sox to be more flexible with their lineups, ensuring they are not overly reliant on left-handed hitters in a division filled with talented right-handed pitching.
Conclusion: A Necessary Investment
For a Red Sox team that is lagging behind its division rivals, Teoscar Hernández represents an affordable yet impactful acquisition. His contract demands, likely in the $16 to $20 million per year range, are well within reach for a team that still has a high payroll capacity. Hernández’s ability to add power to the lineup, provide defensive stability in the outfield, and contribute in high-leverage situations makes him an ideal target for the Red Sox.
As the team works to retool its roster and reassert itself as a postseason contender, signing a player like Teoscar Hernández would be a step in the right direction. His fit within the team’s structure is undeniable, and his contract demands should not be seen as an obstacle but rather an opportunity for the Red Sox to strengthen a lineup that has underperformed in recent seasons.
The Red Sox must act quickly to avoid being outbid by other teams, but if they can secure a deal with Hernández, they will be positioning themselves to significantly improve in 2024 and provide a much-needed boost to their chances in the competitive AL East.
