Former Seattle Mariners slugger Teoscar Hernandez attracts interest from AL East clubs

The former Seattle Mariners outfielder could command a big payday as a free agent.

Former Mariners slugger and recent Los Angeles Dodgers (and 2024 World Series champion) Teoscar Hernandez is in a much better situation this offseason than he has been in the past.

After the 2023 season, Hernandez’s only year with the Mariners, the team did not make him a qualifying offer, resulting in him signing a one-year, $23.5 million contract with the Dodgers as a free agent.

Hernandez, who ended up winning the 2024 All-Star Game home run derby, parlayed that deal into a successful season. In 2024, he batted .272 with 33 home runs and 99 RBIs. Los Angeles rewarded Hernandez with a one-year, $21.05 million qualifying offer.

This step gave the ex Seattle An outfielder’s security service he can turn to when trying to find a longer deal as a free agent. And according to a recent report from MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, Hernandez could find that home with an American League East contender.

The Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox have expressed interest in Hernandez, who played in the AL East for the better part of six years as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays from 2017 to 2022, Morosi said.

According to Morosi’s tweet on “X” (formerly known as Twitter), both the Red Sox and Orioles have the same need for right-handed power.

Hernandez will also likely be used frequently as a striker for both teams. Baltimore’s 2024 designated hitter/outfielder Anthony Santander is a free agent, and Boston’s designated hitter/outfielder Masataka Yoshida is a lefty.

Hernandez played one year for the Mariners in 2023 and hit .258 with 26 home runs and 93 RBIs.

Hernandez is viewed in many circles as the second best outfielder available in free agency behind superstar Juan Soto. And that could result in Hernandez receiving a much larger contract than the qualifying offer Los Angeles offered him.

According to the company, Hernandez’s three-year market value is $71.265 million ($23.8 million AAV). Spotrac.

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