Kiké Hernández made an interesting revelation on Thursday when discussing his free agency finalists with “Foul Territory.”
“At the end, it came down to Dodgers or Yankees,” said the utilityman, who recently signed a one-year, $4 million deal with Los Angeles. “Big market only.”
Hernández played for the Dodgers from 2015-2020 before spending a few seasons in Boston. The 32-year-old returned to L.A. midway through the 2023 campaign.
Hernández, who played every infield and outfield position last year, said that familiarity impacted his decision. So did playing time.
“They have a lot of left-handed hitters in the lineup,” the right-handed swinger said. “And I think the main reason is [the Dodgers] were able to guarantee me to start, at least against left-handed pitchers, to start the year.
“The Yankees have a really, really good lineup as well, just like the Dodgers, but they have a lot of right-handed hitters, and their lefties are not platoon guys.”
Aaron Boone told reporters that he was aware of Hernández’s interest in the Yankees on Thursday, but the manager also knew Los Angeles was an option.
“I wasn’t sure,” Boone said, per NJ.com. “I knew the Dodger thing was certainly in play and I think that was dependent on a move happening that opened up a spot, but I do know he was certainly intrigued about coming here.”
The Dodgers traded Manuel Margot to the Twins in order to make space for Hernández.
While the Yankees were not able to lure Hernández away from the Dodgers, the player’s comments are another sign that the Bombers want to upgrade their bench.
Trent Grisham is expected to be the fourth outfielder, while Jose Trevino and Austin Wells will likely be the catchers the team carries. However, Ben Rortvedt is out of minor league options and could factor in as well.
There’s more uncertainty surrounding the backup infield and super utility roles.
Going into camp, the super utility job looked like Oswaldo Cabrera’s to lose, as he can play just about everywhere. Meanwhile, Oswald Peraza, a natural shortstop who can also flash the leather at second and third, looked like the frontrunner for the backup infield job.
However, neither player has proven that they can hit at the major league level, and both have minor league options that would allow them to further their development with everyday playing time at Triple-A.
Recently, Boone was asked if Peraza is the primary backup at his positions.
“You can throw a lot of guys in that bucket,” the manager said before mentioning Cabrera and versatile non-roster invitees Jeter Downs, Josh VanMeter and Kevin Smith.
Downs has hardly hit at Triple-A, let alone in the majors, while VanMeter didn’t play in the big leagues last season. Smith has a 47 OPS+ over 114 MLB games.
None are exciting alternatives to Peraza or Cabrera, which is why the Yankees have been linked to established players like Hernández, the Reds’ Tony Kemp, and former pinstriper Gio Urshela, a Boone favorite who recently signed with the Tigers.
“A guy that’s very, very comfortable in a lot of situations,” the manager recently said of Urshela, who the Yankees dumped in the Josh Donaldson trade. “And a really good teammate, a guy that brings a joy to the game.
“You felt good being around Gio every day, and that’s a valuable thing in the grind of a major league season, to have people that are energy-givers, that breathe some life into the clubhouse. You want that, and he’s certainly one of those guys while also just being obviously really good with the glove. Obviously played really well for us and got a lot of big hits for us. But just a great person.”
There are still a few flexible free agents left, including Donovan Solano, Jean Segura, Elvis Andrus and Adalberto MondesÍ. None of those players have recent outfield experience, but that’s not necessarily required with Grisham and other depth options around.
Solano, another former Yankee, has hit at least .280 in each of the last three seasons.
Of course, the Yankees could always stick with their internal options.
There is a case to be made for rostering Cabrera and Peraza, who has been dealing with tightness in his throwing shoulder, if only for their defense. The club also added Jahmai Jones to the 40-man roster on Wednesday, though the former top prospect hasn’t had much success since debuting in 2020.
Jorbit Vivas could also push his way into the conversation if he continues to hit. Some more experience at Triple-A would benefit the second baseman, and he hasn’t played shortstop much. However, Boone planned to try the 22-year-old at third after he hit two home runs in his first four at-bats of the spring.
“He’s interesting,” the skipper said. “Excited to see more of it.”
