Padres Listed Among Final Teams For Ex-Dodgers Free Agent

Will San Diego add to its roster with this accomplished vet?

News recently broke that former Dodgers utility man Kiké Hernández was set to sign within the next couple of days. 

That specific report did not detail the teams that were in the hunt for the versatile player. 

On Saturday afternoon, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic revealed a bit more as it pertains to Hernández and his free-agent status. Four teams are reportedly in the hunt for his services. 

The teams in question include the San Francisco Giants, the San Diego Padres, the Los Angeles Angels and the Minnesota Twins. 

Free-agent utility man Kiké Hernández is down to four teams. Here’s how he’d fit with each. https://t.co/A1vZryKQ4T

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 24, 2024

It makes sense that a host of teams would be interested in Hernández. He can play a multitude of positions, both in the infield and in the outfield.

Traditionally, Hernández is very strong against left-handed pitching. 

From a leadership standpoint, he's said to be a very well-liked guy with tremendous energy and respect. Additionally, he has loads of experience in postseason play. 

After a rough stint in Boston, L.A. reacquired Hernández for the stretch run last year. Between both clubs, he finished with 11 HRs, 61 RBIs and a .237 batting average. 

Rosenthal did report that Hernández underwent double-hernia surgery after the year had ended. Presumably, he should be fully healthy and better equipped to deal with the rigors of a full season. 

Here's what The Athletic had to say about Hernández and a possible fit with the Padres specifically: 

"The Padres could really use a lefty hitter with power, but they aren’t exactly in a position to be picky, and Hernández would fill another glaring need. At the moment, Fernando Tatis Jr. is San Diego’s only proven starting-caliber outfielder. Jackson Merrill has a good chance of making the team primarily as an outfielder, but he’s a 20-year-old prospect who has spent most of his life playing shortstop.

Jurickson Profar’s return finally is official, but the Padres would prefer to use the veteran as more of a bench bat. Like Profar, Hernández is an early-30s player coming off a poor offensive season. However, the Padres would more confidently project him as a big-league regular, and he can still play center field, where the team’s other options include José Azocar, Jakob Marsee and Merrill, who is learning multiple outfield spots as he tries to break into the majors."

-- 

The Athletic on 

Hernández

The last part is key here. Hernández offers the positional flexibility in the outfield to ideally help out some of the younger Padres players. Being a veteran, he would be a tremendous mentor to the likes of Jackson Merrill and Jose Azocar.