The Dodgers’ MVP outside of Ohtani? How Teoscar Hernandez became L.A.’s unsung star
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Alden Gonzalez, ESPN Staff Writer
After Freddie Freeman pulled a Kirk Gibson and before Yoshinobu Yamamoto completed a career-defining start, Teoscar Hernández made his own mark on this World Series, belting a two-run homer in Game 2 that provided the winning runs in the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ 4-2 victory over the New York Yankees. It was a moment that might go largely unnoticed in the story of this series, trampled in Game 2 by Shohei Ohtani‘s injury scare — but such anonymity might be fitting.
Hernández has spent all year as an overlooked-yet-crucial figure on a star-laden Dodgers team that is now two wins away from a title.
Amid a $1 billion splurge that was headlined by Ohtani, Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow, Hernández accepted a one-year, $23.5 million contract largely because his market hardly materialized, an addition that seemed almost unnecessary. But the Dodgers’ lineup wouldn’t be as deep without his power. Their clubhouse wouldn’t be as united without his presence.
Hernández sipped on a cup of coffee near his home in the L.A. neighborhood of Studio City last week and reflected on a year that began with hope and will end, championship or not, “better than anything I could have imagined.” Hernández put together one of his best offensive seasons — with a .272/.339/.501 slash line, 33 homers and 99 RBIs in 154 games — won the Home Run Derby, and became the joyous, sunflower-seed-throwing, in-game-microphone-wearing face of one of baseball’s most famous teams.
“Shohei is obviously going to be MVP of the entire league,” Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas said. “But to me, outside of him, Teoscar is our MVP.”
Ohtani and Yamamoto were the clear headliners of last winter’s free agent class, primed for nine-figure deals that would set new precedents. Following them in the pecking order was a vexing group of household names who demanded massive contracts but presented a wide range of concerns, a list consisting of Jordan Montgomery, Josh Hader, Matt Chapman and Cody Bellinger.
Hernández resided in the tier just below them — not quite prominent enough to command big money but, perhaps, a safe bet amid the uncertainty. After Bellinger and Jung Hoo Lee, he was the best outfielder available. After Ohtani, he might have been the best power hitter. A three- to four-year deal seemed reasonable, if not likely.
“I thought it was going to be different,” Hernández said, turning to his agent, Rafa Nieves of Republik Sports, seated next to him. “We thought it was going to be different.”
Hernández, who turned 32 this month, entered free agency as a former All-Star with two Silver Slugger Awards and six seasons producing an OPS 19 percentage points above league average. From 2018 to 2023, he slashed .262/.317/.484 with 147 home runs and 442 RBIs. But he was coming off a down year in Seattle, in which he played a career-high 160 games but posted his lowest full-season OPS.
That, on top of the usual concerns about his defensive value and strikeout rate, stymied Hernández’s market. And so Hernandez received only two-year offers, with the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Angels emerging as the top suitors. A third guaranteed year from either team could have finalized a deal.
That neither presented it made the Dodgers increasingly more tempting.
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes reached out to Nieves from the outset of free agency and was the first person he met with at the GM meetings in early November. The Dodgers would chase Ohtani and needed to address their rotation. After that, they wanted another bat. Even after they signed veteran corner outfielder Jason Heyward to a one-year, $9 million contract in late November, Hernández was their preference.
After a whirlwind few weeks that saw them sign Ohtani, Glasnow and Yamamoto, the Dodgers circled back with Nieves and ultimately landed on a one-year deal, but with a larger average annual value than Hernández’s other offers. Rather than long-term security, Hernández would reenter the market in a year. He’d bet on a Dodgers franchise that continually plays into October and holds a reputation for making players better.
Mostly, though, he’d bet on himself.
“It hasn’t been easy in my career,” Hernández said. “Nothing has been. But I’m the type of guy that punches back.”
Hernández grew up in the Dominican town of Maimón, a utility infielder who didn’t command much attention as a teenager. Scouts determined he wasn’t fast enough and didn’t possess enough power. He was viewed as the worst thing a projectable teenager can be: a tweener. From ages 15 to 18, he got nothing but empty promises and tepid interest.
“If I ask you how many tryouts I did to try to get signed, what do you think it is?” Hernández asked. “Throw out a number.”
10?
15?
30?
“I did over a hundred tryouts,” Hernández said.
In 2011, after starring at the Houston Astros‘ Dominican complex for the better part of a month, Hernández was fed up. He went home and decided to quit. He spent two weeks at his house without practicing before the Astros worked him out again and finally extended an offer — for $15,000. Hernández accepted.
“From that day I’ve been fighting and fighting and fighting,” Hernández said. “And it got harder and harder and harder every year.”
Six years later, the Astros traded Hernández to the Toronto Blue Jays midway through the 2017 season. Two years after that, in his age-26 season, Hernández cracked his first Opening Day roster, only to struggle mightily and get sent down six weeks later. His breakthrough 2020 season was shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic. His 2021 season was hampered by his own case of COVID.
But by 2022, despite an oblique strain that cost him three weeks, Hernández had established himself as a valuable power hitter who could act as a catalyst in the middle of a lineup — enough so that the Seattle Mariners, starved for offense, traded for him in November.
Hernández’s final year before free agency would see him anchoring a lineup alongside Julio Rodríguez, while playing for a Mariners team primed to make a deep run. But Hernández slashed just .238/.288/.406 through the end of July. He got hot in August but still finished with a .741 OPS, his lowest since becoming a regular six years earlier. The Mariners missed the playoffs by one game.
“It was a really good, really talented team,” Hernández said. “But we were missing something. And I think it was playing as one group, not individuals.”
The first player to reach out to Hernández when he signed with the Dodgers was Ohtani, via a direct message on Instagram.
“Finally,” it read, “we’re gonna play together.”
As an Angel, Ohtani plunked Hernández on the right hand with a sinker on April 5, 2023, and apologized for it while on his way out of the ballpark. It sparked a short conversation and a surprising friendship.
Hernández has a reputation for being upbeat, congenial, easygoing. His fit on the Dodgers was instantaneous. Along the way, Hernández grew from the group that surrounded him. It was his first time around established stars and a winning culture. He learned how to navigate the rigors of a season, drawing inspiration more recently by how Freeman has navigated through injuries in October. He learned how to keep going, no matter what presented itself.
“He said something in spring training that kind of caught my attention,” Rojas said. “In Toronto, he was a player trying to make a name for himself but at the same time he needed to be the leader of the group. Here, he doesn’t have to do that. He came into our clubhouse knowing he doesn’t have to be the piece that keeps everybody together and all that. He can focus on what he does on the field and what he does best, which is hit.”
Hernández’s production remained steady throughout the 2024 season, devoid of the highs and lows that have at times plagued him. In September, he was at his best, slashing .329/.407/.605 as the Dodgers made the final push to capture an 11th division title in 12 years. Even after Hernández went hitless in 18 at-bats over the first five games of the National League Championship Series, his approach did not waver. He drew seven walks during that stretch, a circumstance that surprised even him. Results weren’t going his way, but he did not chase. He did not become impatient.
In Game 6, on the night the Dodgers clinched their first pennant in four years, Hernández served as an early catalyst, lining two hits while the Dodgers scored six runs in the first three innings.
To him, it was a growth moment.
“I know that I’m going to fail, I know that I’m going to make errors, but this year I have that confidence,” Hernández said. “I know at some point I’m going to be back, hitting the ball hard, hitting homers, getting on base, making plays.”
When Yankee Stadium hosted a high-profile Dodgers-Yankees matchup over the summer, Hernández starred. He hit the game-winning two-run double in the 11th inning on June 7, homered twice in a rout on June 8, contributed two hits and another home run in the only loss on June 9. Going back now — with the highest stakes, in front of a hostile crowd and against a desperate team — has brought out a particular level of excitement with him.
“It’s going to be crazy,” Hernández said of a World Series that will shift to the Bronx for Games 3, 4 and, if the Dodgers don’t sweep, 5. “But I like that. I like challenges. I like when things get really hard. And I think that’s when you see the best out of me, when you’re facing a really good pitcher, a really good team. There’s just something about those moments that I love.”
The 2024 season began with a risk. It will end with growth and validation. With a reaffirming of his belief that things happen for a reason. With a clearer vision for what he’ll look for in free agency — long-term security and an opportunity to win — and the thought that he shouldn’t have to settle.
Only a handful of teams wanted Hernández over the offseason. Now one of the best doesn’t know where it would be without him.
“What are they going to say now?” Hernández said. “I want to see what excuses they’re going to say now.”
In the new 12-team College Football Playoff format, there is an added emphasis on conference championships. The four highest-ranked conference champions receive a first-round bye and a fifth conference champion is guaranteed a spot in the field. Those champions will be determined by conference title games held Dec. 6-7.
But in a college football landscape that has mostly done away with divisions and with some conferences expanding to as many as 18 teams, it can be difficult to figure out who is in line to reach those conference title games.
We’re here to help out. Below are the list of tiebreakers for each league to help determine conference championship game participants.
Conference’s tiebreaker policy
Two-team tie:
1. Head-to-head
2. Win percentage against common opponents
3. Win percentage against common opponents from top-to-bottom of the conference standings (breaking ties among tied teams)
4. Combined win percentage of conference opponents
5. Higher ranking by the Team Rating Score metric (from SportSource Analytics)
6. Draw administered by the ACC commissioner
Three-plus team tie: In case of a tie for both conference championship spots, once the tiebreaker identifies one championship game representative, it will start over with the remaining tied teams.
1. Combined head-to-head win percentage among the tied teams (if all tied teams are common opponents)
2. If all tied teams are not common opponents, if any tied team defeated each of the other tied teams
2a. If all tied teams are not common opponents, and no tied team defeated each of the other tied teams, but a tied team lost to each of the other tied teams, that team is eliminated
3. Win percentage against common opponents
4. Win percentage against common opponents from top-to-bottom of the conference standings
5. Combined win percentage of conference opponents
6. Higher ranking by the Team Rating Score metric (from SportSource Analytics)
7. Draw administered by the ACC commissioner
Conference’s tiebreaker policy
Two-team tie:
1. Head-to-head
2. Win percentage against common conference opponents
3. Win percentage against the next-highest common opponent in the conference standings; in case of tied teams in standings, use each team’s win percentage against all of those teams
4. Combined win percentage in conference games of conference opponents (strength of conference schedule)
5. Total wins over the 12-game season (only one win against teams from FCS or lower division will be counted)
6. Higher ranking by the Team Rating Score metric (from SportSource Analytics)
7. Coin toss
Three-plus team tie: In case of a tie for both conference championship spots, once the tiebreaker identifies one championship game representative, it will start over with the remaining tied teams. When reduced to two tied teams, the two-team tiebreakers will be used.
1. Combined head-to-head among tied teams (if all tied teams are common opponents)
1a. If all tied teams are not common opponents, if any tied team defeated each of the other tied teams
1b. If all tied teams are not common opponents, and no tied team defeated each of the other tied teams, but a tied team lost to each of the other tied teams, that team is eliminated
2. Win percentage against all common opponents
3. Record against next-highest common opponent in conference standings; in case of tied teams in standings, use each team’s win percentage against all of those teams
4. Combined win percentage in conference games of conference opponents (strength of conference schedule)
5. Total wins over the 12-game season (only one win against teams from FCS or lower division will be counted)
6. Higher ranking by the Team Rating Score metric (from SportSource Analytics)
7. Coin toss
Conference’s tiebreaker policy
Two-team tie:
1. Head-to-head
2. Win percentage against common conference opponents
3. Win percentage against common opponents from top-to-bottom of the conference standings (breaking ties among tied teams)
4. Combined conference win percentage of conference opponents
5. Higher ranking by the Team Rating Score metric (from SportSource Analytics)
6. Draw administered by the Big Ten commissioner
Three-plus team tie: In case of a tie for both conference championship spots, once the tiebreaker identifies one championship game representative, it will start over with the remaining tied teams. When reduced to two tied teams, the two-team tiebreakers will be used.
1. Combined head-to-head among tied teams
1a. If all tied teams are not common opponents, if any tied team defeated each of the other tied teams
2. Win percentage against all common conference opponents
3. Win percentage against common opponents from top-to-bottom of the conference standings (breaking ties among tied teams)
4. Combined conference win percentage of conference opponents
5. Higher ranking by the Team Rating Score metric (from SportSource Analytics)
6. Draw administered by the Big Ten commissioner
Conference’s tiebreaker policy
Two-team tie:
1. Head-to-head
2. Win percentage against common conference opponents
3. Win percentage against common opponents from top-to-bottom of the conference standings (breaking ties among tied teams: if a two-team tiebreaker will not break a tie, combined records against tied common opponents will be used)
4. Combined conference win percentage of conference opponents
5. Higher relative total scoring margin against all conference opponents (from SportSource Analytics)
6. Random draw
Three-plus team tie: In case of a tie for both conference championship spots, once the tiebreaker identifies one championship game representative, it will start over with the remaining tied teams.
1. Combined head-to-head among tied teams (if all tied teams are common opponents)
1a. If all tied teams are not common opponents, if any tied team defeated each of the other tied teams
1b. If all tied teams are not common opponents, and no tied team defeated each of the other tied teams, but a tied team lost to each of the other tied teams, that team is eliminated
2. Record against all common conference opponents
3. Win percentage against common opponents from top-to-bottom of the conference standings (breaking ties among tied teams; if a two-team tiebreaker will not break a tie, combined records against tied common opponents will be used)
4. Combined conference win percentage of conference opponents
5. Higher relative total scoring margin against all conference opponents (from SportSource Analytics)
6. Random draw
Conference’s tiebreaker policy
Two-team tie:
1. Head-to-head
2. If one team is ranked in the latest CFP rankings (and didn’t lose in the final weekend of the regular season)
2a. If one team is ranked in the latest CFP rankings and lost in the final weekend of the regular season, a composite average of selected metrics will be used
2b. If both teams are ranked, the higher-ranked team that didn’t lose in the final weekend of the regular season (if both lose, a composite average of metrics)
2c. If neither team is ranked in the latest CFP rankings, a composite average of selected metrics will be used
3. Win percentage against common conference opponents
4. Overall win percentage (conference and nonconference) excluding exempt games
5. Coin toss
Three-plus team tie: In case of a tie for both conference championship spots, once the tiebreaker identifies one championship game representative, it will start over with the remaining tied teams.
1. Combined head-to-head (if all teams played each other)
1a. If one tied team defeated all other tied teams
2. If the highest-ranked team in the latest CFP rankings that didn’t lose in the final weekend of the regular season
2a. If the highest-ranked team loses in final weekend of regular season, a composite average of selected metrics will be used
2b. If multiple ranked teams in the CFP rankings, the highest ranked team(s) that wins in the final weekend of the regular season
2c. If all ranked teams lose on the final weekend, a composite average of selected metrics will be used
2d. If no teams are ranked in the final CFP rankings, a composite average of selected metrics will be used
3. Win percentage against common conference opponents
4. Overall win percentage (conference and nonconference) excluding exempt games
5. Coin toss
Conference’s tiebreaker policy
Two-team tie and three-team tie:
1. Head-to-head
2. Highest CFP rankings going into the final weekend (if team wins in the final weekend)
3. Highest average ranking of four computer rankings (Connelly SP+, SportSource, ESPN SOR, KPI Rankings)
4. Highest average ranking of two computer rankings (SportSource, KPI Rankings)
5. Highest most recently published multiyear football Academic Progress Rate (if same, most recent year)
6. Draw administered by commissioner’s designee
Conference’s tiebreaker policy
Two-team tie:
1. Head-to-head
2. Win percentage against common opponents
3. Win percentage against common opponents based on MAC finish (breaking ties) from top-to-bottom of conference
4. Combined conference win percentage of conference opponents
5. Higher ranking by Team Rating Score metric (SportSource Analytics)
6. Draw administered by MAC commissioner
Three-team tie:
1. Combined head-to-head (if all teams played each other)
2. If one tied team defeated all other tied teams
3. Win percentage against all common opponents
4. Win percentage against all common opponents based on finish (with ties broken)
5. Combined conference win percentage of conference opponents
6. Higher ranking by Team Rating Score metric (SportSource Analytics)
7. Draw administered by MAC commissioner
Conference’s tiebreaker policy
Two-team tie:
1. Head-to-head
2. Highest CFP ranking (if team wins in the final weekend)
2a. If only or both CFP ranked teams loses in the final weekend (or if there is no ranked teams), an average of metrics will be used
3. Overall win percentage (conference and nonconference)
4. Record against the next-highest team in the conference standings (tied teams will be lumped together if tied teams played all those teams)
5. Win percentage against common conference opponents
6. Coin toss conducted virtually by the commissioner
Three-plus team tie:
1. Combined head-to-head (if all teams played each other)
2. If one tied team defeated all other tied teams
3. Highest CFP ranking among teams to win in the final weekend
4. Average of selected metrics (if ranked team loses or if no teams ranked)
5. Overall win percentage against all opponents (conference and nonconference); maximum one win against FCS or lower-division team
6. Record against the next-highest team in the conference standings (tied teams will be lumped together if tied teams played all those teams)
7. Win percentage against common conference opponents
8. Drawing conducted virtually by the commissioner
Conference’s tiebreaker policy
Two-team tie
1. Head-to-head
2. Overall win percentage
3. Win percentage against the next-highest team in the division standings (lumping together tied teams)
4. Win percentage against all common nondivisional conference opponents
5. Higher-ranked teams in the CFP rankings (if it wins in the final regular season week); if the highest-ranked team loses, an average of selected computer rankings (Anderson & Hester, Massey, Colley and Wolfe)
6. If no team is ranked in the CFP rankings, an average of selected computer rankings (Anderson & Hester, Massey, Colley and Wolfe)
7. Overall win percentage (conference and nonconference) against FBS teams
8. Coin toss
Three-plus team tie: (Teams will not revert to two-team tiebreaker once three-plus team tiebreaker is trimmed to two.)
1. Combined head-to-head
2. Divisional win percentage
3. Win percentage against the next-highest team in the division standings (lumping together tied teams)
4. Highest-ranked team in the CFP rankings (if they win in the final weekend of regular season); if that team loses, an average of selected computer rankings
5. If no team is ranked in the CFP rankings, an average of selected computer rankings (Anderson & Hester, Massey, Colley and Wolfe)
6. Overall win percentage (conference and nonconference) against FBS teams
7. Draw lots (conducted by commissioner)
Check out the ESPN college football hub page for the latest news, analysis, schedules, rankings and more.
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Jesse Rogers, ESPN Staff Writer
SAN ANTONIO — Juan Soto will take his time surveying the free agent market before signing with a team, according to his agent Scott Boras.
Speaking at the general manager’s meetings Wednesday, Boras indicated that Soto desires a “thorough” vetting before making a decision.
“Due to the volume of interest and Juan’s desire to hear [from teams], I can’t put a timeframe on it, but it’s going to be a very thorough process for him,” Boras said. “He wants to meet people personally. He wants to talk with them. He wants to hear from them.”
That includes ownership, even for the New York Yankees, for whom he played in 2024 and hit 41 home runs with a league-leading 128 runs scored. Soto helped New York to a World Series appearance, but that doesn’t necessarily give the Yankees a leg up on the competition to sign him.
“He wants ownership that’s going to support that they are going win annually,” Boras said. “Owners want to meet with Juan and sit down and talk with him about what they’re going to provide for their franchise short term and long term.”
Soto’s overall deal is likely to be at least the second largest in MLB history behind Shohei Ohtani‘s 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Boras refused to compare the two players, but stressed Soto’s age (26) as a distinctive factor in teams’ pursuit of his client. Ohtani was 29 when he hit free agency.
“I don’t think Ohtani has much to do with Juan Soto at all,” Boras said. “It’s not something we discuss or consider. … He’s in an age category that separates him.”
Both New York teams have spoken to Boras already, though there are a handful of other big-market franchises that could be in play for his services, including the San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays.
Boras was asked how the competitive balance tax on payrolls could impact Soto’s free agency.
“I don’t think tax considerations are the focal point when you’re talking about a business opportunity where you can make literally billions of dollars by acquiring somebody like this,” Boras said.
Boras and Soto are only at the beginning stages of what could be a drawn-out process. One thing going for the player, in Boras’ estimation, is that Soto is “pretty well known” considering he has already been on three teams and played in 43 playoff games, including twice in the World Series.
In his agent’s eyes, every winning team should be interested.
“They’re [team executives] called upon to be championship magicians,” Boras said. “Behind every great magician is the magic Juan.”
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Jesse Rogers, ESPN Staff Writer
SAN ANTONIO — Free agent pitcher Kyle Hendricks has agreed to a one year, $2.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels, sources familiar with the situation told ESPN.
Hendricks, 34, posted a 5.92 ERA for the Chicago Cubs last season but was better in the second half after a stint in the bullpen. His ERA was 4.41 from mid-July to the end of the regular season. He threw 7⅓ shutout innings in his last start as a Cub in late September after spending the first 11 years of his career with Chicago.
The Angels are hoping Hendricks finds more consistency in 2025, similar to what he displayed at times late in 2024. They also have a young pitching staff that needs mentoring. Hendricks can help in that department as well.
Hendricks won the ERA title in 2016, helping the Cubs to a World Series title. He was the last member of that team still playing for the Cubs until he became a free agent after the 2024 season. Overall, he’s 97-81 with a 3.68 ERA.
Hendricks is from the Los Angeles area, having gone to Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo, California. He was originally drafted by the Angels in the 39th round in 2008 before attending Dartmouth. Additionally, his dad worked in the Angels’ ticket office for six years when Hendricks was a teenager.
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