Notebook: Blue Jays, Teoscar Hernandez remains intertwined long after splitting

There were playful jokes with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. At the first goal, a little hug with Bo Bichette on a change between sleeves, a meeting with the players and the staff behind the stick cage during the practice of the striker and a first -hand look at a team on which he kept an eye on a distance.

“I always watch their matches because of Vlady, Bo, (George) Springer and all the guys I played when I was there,” said Hernandez during an interview in the dodgers canoe. “I will always wish the best for everyone. I hope they will be able to continue as they do right now. I hope we can meet in the World Series. It would be great. They really play a good baseball, play hard and did the little things in the clutch moments. They assembled a very good team next to the big names Vladdy, Bo and Springer, and that’s why they were.

Hernandez almost became a part of this success when the Blue Jays continued him during his free agency in winter following a 2024 Stellar season with the Dodgers in which he was an All-Star, a silver slug, won the Home Run Derby and became champion of the World Series.

“We actually approached a meeting so that I could return to Toronto,” said Hernandez. “They were trying to do a few things, I’m not going to say what, but they were trying to do a few things first. And they said that if it worked, we can come together, we can sit down and talk about a contract. So, yes, it was really close.”

Given his friendship with Guerrero and the chronology of discussions from the first basic player with the Blue Jays, it is logical that Hernandez wanted the club to extend his cornerstone before signing with them.

While these discussions dragged, Hernandez returned to Dodgers in early January for $ 66 million over three years – a contract which also includes a club option of $ 15 million for 2028. Guerrero at $ 500 million and a $ 14 -year extension was not made before April 7, a fundamental agreement that should help Blue Jays when they speak to free agents this winter.

Throughout this long negotiation, Hernandez said he had been in contact with Guerrero, offering both his support and his encouragement to stay in Toronto, saying to him: “If you feel good there, you have your whole life there, your family, you have everything in this city and this country, then try to operate it.”

“I am now one of four different teams. It’s not the same as growing up in a single organization, “said Hernandez. I don’t think of Toronto without Vlady. He is like an emblematic person there. He is obviously from Canada, he is the right guy to be a Jay Blue for life. It’s great. I am happy for him, for the team, for the city, the fans. Fans love Vlady, so they deserve to have him for him for his entire career. It was great for him. “”

Hernandez has become an equally strong adjustment with the starry dodgers, tearing up the first month of the season before a tension of the left adductor and a bullet on his left foot slows him down. In 96 games, he beats .254 / .289 / .464 with 18 circuits and 69 products produced, but he now returns in just fit when the dodgers return to full force for a last push until October.

Another drawing of the post-season for reigning champions, and Hernandez said that winning last year “gives you a lot of experience”.

“Especially because you are going through so many great moments,” he said. “This gives you confidence, energy and everything you need to focus on achieving the best way to help the team. Winning a championship is one of the best things for any athlete. I enjoyed it – you know me, I like this game, especially when it matters most – we were hungry and we came back this year trying to return to World Series.”

Fluharty saves the day: Mason Fluharty and Tommy Nance warmed up together in the enclosure of the lifts during the ninth round on Sunday, not knowing if one or the other went while Jeff Hoffman faced Alex Call with two and one.

Presumably, if Hoffman has removed the call, the Blue Jays would have intentionally market Shohei Ohtani to face Betts with two withdrawals, either rolling with Hoffman, or let it take it. Instead, Hoffman made a call to load the basics, forcing the Blue Jays to face Ohtani.

Manager John Schneider opted for the left match on Left. On his way to the mound of the enclosure of the lifts, Fluharty said to himself: “No reflection too much for the moment, without thinking of the situation, just (go) there and pitch.”

He did it precisely, winning a duel of nine steps against Ohtani with a fairly complete prosecution sweeper for the second withdrawal of the Channel before making Betts on the choice of a field player to lock a victory of 5-4 Blue Jays.

Initially against Ohtani, “I did not think of eliminating, honestly, I wanted a double game,” said Fluharty. “The withdrawal of withdrawal is even cooler. But just trying to release one.”

Once he had the second withdrawal, he quickly reset to Betts, determined to “bring the ball”.

“We wanted to go early to the stolen door, then we wanted to blow it up,” he said. “Fortunately, I did it and I had the ball on the ground. No reflection, just go there and do it.”

The improbable escape made the first major Fluharty league, except only one memorable, attracting praise of all around the club.

“Dude is so cool for him, sailing this situation and not going back,” said Schneider. “Really, a really cool environment for him to be in and have this success, then cool so that he goes from the front to have this in his rear pocket as a representative.”

Fluharty, 23 years old and only 45 outings in his career in the league, thinks that the exit can be a springboard for him.

“I have the impression that now I can really believe in myself and it really gives me the confidence to go to be me and not to think,” he said. “Go ahead, just keep the same mentality, go there and blackened each time, hope it, ride with that. It comes down to performing locations, that’s all.”

France finding a groove: Blue Jays hitting coach David Popkins had some ideas for Ty France when he arrived from Minnesota twins, and the first basic player appreciated the way the club “studied my swing and found things on which we worked very hard”.

A gain for their collective efforts began to come. During the last four games, France has successfully had eight strokes and two products produced, including a Single of Score in sixth round which helped start the return of Blue Jays in the 5-4 on Sunday victory.

The key adjustment, said France, “is a bit of movement with my charge and my hands, trying to make them go up rather than repeling is the great thing, towards my head rather than on the back. If I go up, then my only movement came out and around and I couldn’t drive the ball as I wanted. Now with this (high) movement, it’s fine and focuses on this. ”

An excellent example of how the Shift Shift help came during the Rockies of Colorado on Wednesday, while in the eighth round, he pulled a ball on the right side against Victor Vodnik.

“I haven’t done it for a long time,” said France. “To be able to do that, that’s when I know my swing is in a good place.”

The Sunday single off Tyler Glasnow was also on the right side, a stupid that fell to mark Bo Bichette and reduced the dodgers to 3-2. On Saturday, he doubled and walked against Blake Snell, while Friday, he had simple off Clayton Kershaw and Blake Treinen.

“When I pulled the ball in play, it was turned upwards, I could not pass the ball at the back on the traction side because I am back, outside,” said France. “Now, I’m just trying to stay short and compact, but I better use the midfield.”