The Mets expressed interest in Teoscar Hernández before he re-signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this week. Tim Healey of Newsday reported that the Mets proposed a two-year deal to Hernández, but he ultimately returned to the Dodgers for three years and $66 million.
This free-agent pursuit highlights New York’s ongoing search for an additional veteran hitter. Jon Heyman of the New York Post mentioned that the Mets also reached out to Joc Pederson before he signed a multi-year contract with the Texas Rangers.
The key difference in this situation was that Hernández would likely have occupied a corner outfield position, which would have moved Brandon Nimmo to center field. Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns has consistently emphasized the importance of solid defense in the middle of the field, as seen in his acquisitions of Harrison Bader, Tyrone Taylor, and Jose Siri during his time with the team.
Focus now shifts back to Pete Alonso, as the Mets look to further protect Juan Soto in the lineup. A New York Post report earlier this week stated, “there is said to be a sizable gap in talks” between the Mets and their power-hitting first baseman.
