Powerhouse Teams Eye Teoscar Hernandez as Backup Plan for Juan Soto Deal!

As the MLB offseason heats up, major baseball franchises like the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers have all set their sights on free-agent slugger Teoscar Hernandez. While the Toronto Blue Jays are also interested, they might turn to Anthony Santander as their primary backup option if they can't secure a deal for Juan Soto, according to MLB.com insider Mark Feinsand.

In previous weeks, both the Dodgers and Red Sox were already linked to Hernandez, and now the Yankees have joined the fray, bringing the competition to a new level. All three teams are currently pursuing Soto, making Hernandez a logical backup target should negotiations not go as planned for the star player.

Aside from these three powerhouses, the New York Mets and Blue Jays are also in the running for Soto’s services. It's reported that the bidding for Soto has reached staggering heights, estimated between $710-730 million, especially with the Yankees and Mets pushing aggressively. The Dodgers are currently seen as the least active contenders for Soto, which might give them the upper hand in pivoting towards Hernandez should they miss out on the big fish.

Hernandez has been vocal about his intentions to return to the Dodgers, stating that it is his priority this offseason. After facing a challenging year with the Seattle Mariners, Hernandez made a remarkable comeback with the Dodgers, clinching a World Series title and posting impressive stats of .272/.339/.501 with 33 home runs over the course of 652 plate appearances last season. Having initially signed a one-year, $23.5 million contract, Hernandez now appears poised for a lucrative multi-year contract.

The Red Sox are also a significant contender for Hernandez’s talents. They previously offered him a two-year deal worth $28 million, which he declined for a chance at Dodgers’ unprecedented success. However, the allure of playing at Fenway Park and the connection he has with Red Sox manager Alex Cora could sway Hernandez’s decision now that he holds a World Series championship ring.

Don’t count out the Yankees just yet! Hernandez's track record at Yankee Stadium has been impressive, making him an enticing option for New York. With key players like Gleyber Torres and Anthony Rizzo becoming free agents, the Yankees have an urgent need to strengthen their lineup if Soto doesn't wear pinstripes next season.

With all signs pointing toward an exciting end to this offseason, one thing is certain: whichever team lands Teoscar Hernandez will be adding a formidable bat to their roster, and the competition is just beginning to heat up! Stay tuned for more updates as this thrilling saga unfolds!