For Boston Red Sox fans, waiting for the team to finally become big players in the free agent and trade markets has been brutal. Very often in recent years, big names get connected to the Red Sox only for the world to find out that Boston was never really in on them, and the interest was only to feign activity.
More often than not, trade news involves Boston giving up a player to save a buck or stockpile another prospect than to actually make the club better in the present.
One such case last offseason was Teoscar Hernandez, who many thought was destined for Boston at the time. However, it later came out that Boston's offer to Hernandez was a joke and he ultimately signed a deal with the Dodgers, where he is now showing out in the playoffs. Once again, it appeared as though the Red Sox's own frugality and mediocre-looking roster cost them another potential upgrade.
However, there does seem to be at least some hope that Hernandez could end up in Boston after all. The pending free agent recently made a podcast appearance where he again proclaimed how much he enjoys playing at Fenway Park as well as his appreciation for Red Sox fans.
Free agent-to-be Teoscar Hernandez reiterates his love for Fenway Park https://t.co/uIhlS3LeX6 #RedSox pic.twitter.com/mxSy8id2Hp
— WEEI (@WEEI) October 18, 2024
Teoscar Hernandez continues to stoke hopes of him joining Red Sox
It is definitely in Hernandez's best interest to keep as many teams, including the Red Sox, vying for his services this offseason after his strong 2024 campaign. Boston fans shouldn't be declaring victory quite yet especially given the Red Sox's history of coming up short when it comes to actually signing players who want to be paid real money.
That said, Hernandez has been very consistent with his adoration for Boston as a baseball town for a while now. Based on his agent's recent comments about how Hernandez has proven his value on that one-year deal with LA, Hernandez isn't going to sign for pennies on the dollar. However, the Red Sox could start in worse negotiating positions than having a guy that loves the fans and their home ballpark.
At this point, it is up to the powers that be in Boston to actually take advantage of this opportunity with Hernandez (or any other opportunity for that matter). They have a bright executive in Craig Breslow, who seems like he would make smart use of more resources if they were given to him. Whether or not John Henry and Sam Kennedy will follow suit is a lot more uncertain.