There was a time when it looked like Teoscar Hernandez could be a long-term star for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Instead, Hernandez pitched against Toronto in the World Series as a slugger for the Los Angeles Dodgers. When the Fall Classic begins Friday in Toronto, it will be a return to the Rogers Center for Hernandez.
Hernandez’s baseball journey has been a bit winding since leaving the Dominican Republic. He was a highly regarded prospect for the Houston Astros, then came to the Blue Jays. He has since made a stopover with the Seattle Mariners before ending up in Hollywood.
Hernandez joined the Dodgers for 2024 and got a World Series ring, and now he’s trying to repeat, against his former team this time.
MORE: This 27-year-old infielder will get a World Series ring no matter if the Dodgers or Blue Jays win
Why did the Blue Jays trade Teoscar Hernandez?
The Blue Jays traded Hernandez after the 2023 season.
He had one year left on his contract and Toronto opted to look for players they would control for the longer term.
The Blue Jays sent Hernandez to the Mariners for reliever Erik Swanson and pitching prospect Adam Macko.
They would have had to pay Hernandez about $14 million in arbitration for next season and would have chosen to save that money rather than risk losing Hernandez the following season for nothing.
How did the Dodgers get Teoscar Hernandez?
Hernandez spent the final season of his contract with the Mariners, then entered free agency.
He first signed a one-year deal to “prove it” with the Dodgers for 2024. He proved it with 33 home runs and 99 RBIs.
That earned Hernandez a three-year, $66 million contract to start the 2025 season and keep Hernandez in Los Angeles.
His numbers were down a bit this season, but Hernandez still had 29 doubles, 25 home runs and 89 RBIs in 134 regular season games.
He remains a formidable hitter, whom the Blue Jays will have to face during the World Series.
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