Insider Links Yankees to 2-Time All-Star Outfielder as Juan Soto Contingency Plan…

The New York Yankees are all in on re-signing outfielder Juan Soto. But that doesn’t mean they haven’t considered other free agent outfield options such as Teoscar Hernández, just in case.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan suggested that Hernández, who, like Soto, is a Home Run Derby champion, is part of the Yankees’ backup plan if they aren’t able to re-sign Soto.

“The Yankees want him if Soto doesn’t come back, though Hernández could have already signed by the time New York knows where it stands with Soto,” Passan wrote. “Chances are Hernández will be one of the first big names off the board.”

Passan explained why it might be difficult for the Yankees to pivot to Hernández if they don’t land Soto. But it’s not hard to understand why Hernández is a strong consolation prize.

He’s made the All-Star team twice in his nine-year MLB career. Last season, he hit .272 with a career-high 33 home runs. With an .840 OPS, 99 RBI and 84 runs as well, Hernández made the NL All-Star team and won an outfielder Silver Slugger award with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Could the Yankees Replace Juan Soto with Teoscar Hernández?

The Yankees are very familiar with Hernández. Not only did he hit .350, going 7-for-20 with a home run and 4 RBI against the Yankees in the World Series, but he starred for five and a half seasons with one of the their division rivals — the Toronto Blue Jays.

From 2017-22, Hernández slashed .263/.320/.503 with 129 home runs in 609 games. In 2020, he posted a .919 OPS during the COVID-shortened season. Then during 2021, he made his first All-Star team, finishing the year with 32 home runs and 116 RBI.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*