Teoscar Hernandez shades Red Sox for ‘bad deal’ offered in free agency

The Red Sox’s apparent short-change offer ruined any chance of landing 2024 Home Run Derby champion Teoscar Hernandez last offseason, the right-handed slugger revealed this week.

Hernandez, who played in his second career MLB All-Star game on Tuesday in Texas, had been offered a contract to play in Beantown when he was a free agent over the winter but claimed a “bad deal” nudged him to Southern California with the Dodgers.

“It was two years, $28 [million],” Hernandez said of Boston’s offer in an interview with the “Baseball isn’t Boring” podcast on Thursday. “Obviously, I was not going to go and spend my free agency trying to get a bad deal. At the end of the day, I love the Red Sox. It was one of my favorite teams,” Hernández said. “And I love playing [at Fenway Park], but at the end of the day I have to make what is best for me, my career and my family.”

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The 31-year-old outfielder ultimately signed a one-year, $23.5 million contract with the Dodgers in January, a move that has worked out quite well for both sides halfway through the season.

Hernandez has been excellent through three-plus months in Dodger blue, hitting .261/.327/.475 with 19 home runs and 62 RBIs in 95 games.

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The nine-year MLB veteran will once again be able to test free agency after a near career year and a big payday from Los Angeles, something that Boston’s deal would not have made possible.

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Hernandez said he also sought a third year from the Red Sox, which would’ve kept him in Boston through 2026, but the team balked.

“I thought they were gonna make it [a third year], but unfortunately, they said they have to wait because they have to make some moves and all that stuff,” Hernandez said during the podcast appearance. “And I couldn’t wait any longer.”

While they could’ve used Hernandez’s bat in the middle of their order, the Red Sox’s 2024 season has worked out better than expected.

The Red Sox are 53-42 heading into the second half, sitting in the third American League wild card spot and 4 1/2 games back of the Orioles in the AL East.

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