Kiki Hernandez is the epitome of a utility fielder. Last season, he played only 54 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers after being dealt across the country by the Boston Red Sox at the trade deadline. Once in Los Angeles, the Dodgers used him everywhere. No, literally. He played all positions except catcher and pitcher.
There are the Swiss Army knives you received in Boy Scouts. You know, the small red ones with a mini scissors, maybe a dull knife, and that classic corkscrew that no kid should ever need, no matter what wilderness they stumble into. However, contemporary utility tools cost $250 or more and, if used correctly, can probably build a small house.
That’s Kike Hernandez, and there’s little doubt that his extraordinary adaptability helped the Dodgers reach the World Series last season. The Minnesota Twins are now apparently seeking to tap into some of Kike’s various qualities as well.
The Minnesota Twins are finalists to sign Kike Hernandez.
According to Ken Rosenthal and other insiders at The Athletic, Minnesota is one of four teams still in the running for Hernandez, who, like other well-known veterans with plenty of productive years ahead of him, is still available on the free agent market.
Kiké Hernández, a free agency super-utility player, is deciding between four teams, according to individuals familiar with his discussions. The finalists, in no particular order, are the Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres, and San Francisco Giants.
So, how long will we have to wait for Kike Hernandez to make his decision? Not long. Just hours before Rosenthal and Co. penned their column, Mark Feinsand (MLB Network) indicated that Hernandez will make his decision today or Monday.
Why is Kike Hernandez a terrific match for the Twins?
Many baseball fans are skeptical of Hernandez following a “down year”. But didn’t every player in Boston over the last season or two underperform expectations? Clearly, something has been cooking in Beantown’s baseball organization recently, resulting in their fall from grace.
When Hernandez arrived in Los Angeles, his numbers returned to where they had been the previous two seasons with the Red Sox. His average increased by.040 points, his OPS returned to the.700s, and he resumed doing what he does best. Drive-in runs. Hernandez had 31 RBIs in 86 games for Boston. In a considerably smaller sample size as a Dodger (remember 54 from earlier), he drove in 30.
And therein lays the key for Kike Hernandez, whose career numbers won’t impress you until you look at his RBI total. The 32-year-old Puerto Rican drives in a lot of runs despite having a lifetime batting average of.239 and an OPS+ of only 93 (below average).
Hernandez has accumulated 50 or more RBI in four of the last six seasons. He played less than 100 games in the two years he did not (2020 and 2022). In 2022, he still managed 45 RBI in 93 games. Last season, ‘in a poor year,’ he scored 61.
The Minnesota Twins need a hitter that can be dropped in the middle of the lineup and has shown to drive in runs at a high rate. They could also need top-tier veteran talent to platoon in the outfield and play designated hitter. Kike Hernandez could be a better fit than anyone in those areas.
Leave a Reply