After witnessing Teoscar Hernández’s dominance within the 2022 American League wild card collection firsthand, the Seattle Mariners made waves within the offseason by buying and selling for the previous Blue Jays outfielder.
While it was an thrilling acquisition on the time, Hernández’s manufacturing hasn’t met expectations since arriving in Seattle. The 30-year-old is slashing .238/.288/.408 this season, all effectively under his profession averages, to go together with 16 house runs and 58 RBI.
During a current look on MLB Network Radio, Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto did not shoot down the potential for buying and selling Hernández as he’s contemplating methods to enhance the 2024 roster.
Additionally, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale has since reported that Seattle has notified groups that Hernández is amongst a number of gamers on the foremost league roster accessible forward of Tuesday’s commerce deadline.
Here are three groups that the 2021 All-Star, who is about to be a free agent after the season, might match with if Seattle decides to deal him:
Philadelphia Phillies
If it weren’t for shortstop Trea Turner and his $300M contract, left fielder Kyle Schwarber could be in rivalry as Philadelphia’s greatest disappointment this season. While he is by no means been one to have essentially the most enticing batting common, Schwarber compensated with energy, and simply final season, he hit a National League-leading 46 house runs.
However, Schwarber’s OPS+ dipped from 131 in 2022 to a pedestrian 105 this season, simply above the foremost league common, whereas hitting simply .183 with 27 homers and 65 RBI. Hernández may not be a Gold Glove-caliber outfielder, however his 5 defensive runs saved this season are considerably higher than Schwarber’s -18.
Nevertheless, Schwarber is not the one outfielder having problem since it seems that the left-field place is solely a gaping gap for the defending National League champions. Phillies left fielders have mixed for -1.3 bWAR this season, which is the fourth-worst on the place amongst groups.
With Bryce Harper beginning to play first base, Schwarber might slide into the full-time DH function for Philadelphia if the membership acquires Hernández.
New York Yankees
Reigning MVP Aaron Judge may be again within the lineup, however even his return might not be sufficient to propel the Yankees right into a playoff spot, not to mention to ring 28.
Despite the evident flaws of their roster, the Yankees, sitting in final place within the American League East, will not be sellers just like the crosstown Mets earlier than the deadline. Whether that is one of the best plan of action is up for debate, however finally there aren’t many bats in the marketplace value raving about, so taking a flier on Hernández could possibly be value exploring.
Although a 3rd baseman is arguably New York’s most urgent want, it will profit from including one other outfielder and a few offensive firepower, because it owns the eighth-worst group OPS (.707).
Perhaps Yankee Stadium’s smaller dimensions can flip Hernández right into a bounce-back candidate able to offering the Bronx Bombers’ lineup with the facility surge wanted to clinch a wild-card berth.
Toronto Blue Jays
Just because the Dodgers did final week with their commerce for Enrique Hernández, the Blue Jays could need to discover bringing again a longtime clubhouse favourite for the stretch run. Since the All-Star break, Toronto is a modest 9-6 and ranks 18th amongst MLB groups in extra-base hits (46) over that span.
Toronto (59-47) might want to proceed to purchase earlier than the deadline, because it holds a 2.5-game lead over Boston for the ultimate wild-card spot. And a return to the Rogers Centre could possibly be instrumental to Hernández discovering his groove since he hit 15 of final season’s 25 house runs there.
If Hernández is introduced in, Toronto would have a powerful DH platoon with a resurgent Brandon Belt (118 OPS+) dealing with right-handed pitching. Plus, with proper fielder George Springer within the midst of his worst season since his rookie yr, Hernández’s acquisition might give the 2017 World Series champion some breathers to get his thoughts proper for the postseason.
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