MLB HR Derby champ explains why he didn't sign with the Red Sox, takes shot at ownership

The Boston Red Sox have been one of the best teams in the American League this season, especially after going on an impressive run over the last month. However, Boston could've had an even better lineup this year if they signed outfielder Teoscar Hernandez, who the team was negotiating with during the offseason.

Hernandez, 31, has hit .261 this year with an .802 OPS, 19 home runs and 62 RBIs in 95 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers after signing a one-year $23.5 million in January. He was selected to his second All-Star Game and won the 2024 Home Run Derby.

Speaking to the team at "Baseball Isn't Boring," Hernandez shared why he didn't end up signing with the Red Sox despite wanting to play for them.

"[The Red Sox offer was] two years, $28 million," Hernandez said. "Obviously, I wasn't going to go and spend my free agency trying to get a bad deal because at the end of the day, I love the Red Sox. They were one of my favorite teams, and I love playing [at Fenway Park], but at the end of the day I have to make [the decision] that is best for my career and my family."

In 45 games played in Boston, Hernandez has hit .282 with a .950 OPS, 14 home runs and 44 RBIs.

"At the end, honestly, I thought they were gonna [add a third year to their offer], but unfortunately they said they have to wait because they have to make some moves and all that stuff," Hernandez said. "I couldn't wait any longer... The way they approach free agency, teams that want to win, they spend. They go after good players. I'm not saying they don't have good players because they do. The Red Sox are really good right now, and they have amazing players. It's just, for my part, I just want to go to a team that's looking for everybody that's good to win, they're not afraid to spend and to go after good players so they can make their team better."

Hernandez could've been in Boston and could've helped this lineup produce even more than it already has, but it appears that John Henry's direction got in the way of that becoming a reality. That's just another reminder that this team isn't acting the way they were when they were winning World Series once every few years under this same ownership group.