The Boston Red Sox's rumored interest in Juan Soto has fans clamoring for action from the front office.
After years of lame offseasons and unimpressive signings, the front office going all-in on Soto is some of the best news Sox fans could ask for. There would be no better way to use the team's newfound payroll flexibility than to sign a generational talent like Soto for years to come. Unfortunately, many other big market teams feel the same.
Soto may be a lock to become one of the highest-paid MLB players of all time, and if the Red Sox can't compete in his market, MLB Network's Jon Morosi believes they'll turn to an old offseason target to fill a spot in the outfield. Boston could still find itself among stiff competition for Teoscar Hernández, though.
"If Teoscar does not go back to Dodger Stadium for 2025. . . I believe he will go to the American League East, and he has phenomenal, phenomenal numbers at Fenway Park," Morosi said. ". . . I'll be surprised if Juan Soto becomes a Red Sox, and so if Juan Soto goes somewhere else. . . get ready to listen to a lot of conversation about Teoscar and the Boston Red Sox."
The World Series champions have some big names exploring free agency this offseason! ♨️@jonmorosi dives in on the current markets for Teoscar Hernández, Walker Buehler and Jack Flaherty. pic.twitter.com/tLiE6XRB3w
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 22, 2024
Morosi named the Red Sox and Dodgers as the top candidates for Hernández's services. After his performance last season, he's sure to have even more suitors than that.
Hernández batted .272/.339/.501 with a .840 OPS over 154 games with the Dodgers in the 2024 regular season. He mashed 32 doubles, two triples, a career-high 33 homers and 99 RBI to raise his free agent stock after a down year in 2023.
MLB insider Jon Morosi suggests Red Sox will pursue Teoscar Hernández if they lose out on Juan Soto
The outfielder isn't a great defender and would be a downgrade from potential trade candidate, Wilyer Abreu. But the Red Sox are so desperate for a righty bat with pop that Ceddanne Rafaela and Jarren Duran could make up for much of the drop in defensive skill if Boston moves on from Abreu this winter.
The Sox would need to make a real offer to Hernández to get him to leave LA, unlike last offseason's proposed deal that didn't even offer him a pay raise from his season with the Mariners in 2023. The Dodgers extended a qualifying offer to Hernández, which he rejected, but they'd like to keep him around as he was a fan favorite on their World Series-winning squad.
Hernández has made his love for Fenway Park and the Red Sox organization clear. Boston's commitment to its interest in Soto suggests the front office is willing to spend more than it has in years. If it whiffs on Soto, the front office should turn its resources toward pursuing Hernández, arguably the team's most expected plan B.