Angels Among Finalists For Popular Free Agent Utility Man
Super-utility free agent Kiké Hernandez is reportedly choosing between four teams, and the Los Angeles Angels are one of them.
In no particular order, his choices are the Angels, the San Diego Padres, the San Francisco Giants, and the Minnesota Twins.
The 32-year-old has spent most of his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers and quickly became a fan favorite for his personality and ability to crush fastballs.
He signed with the Boston Red Sox as a free agent in 2021 and played well for them until the 2023 season when he got off to a slow start. The Red Sox dealt Hernandez to the Dodgers in July, and he was able to turn his season around.
His combined slash line last year was .237/.289/.357.
On Oct. 24, he underwent double-hernia surgery, which could explain why his season was so up and down. He was expected to resume baseball activities in November and will likely be ready for spring training.
According to Sam Blum of The Athletic, the Angeles would be a great fit after Luis Rengifo went down with hamstring tightness and Michael Stefanic left Saturday's game with a groin strain.
"Signing Hernández would stabilize the situation and give the Angels a true utility player all over the diamond. His offensive regression last year is concerning, but right now the Angels just need reliable players. He could also serve as insurance for an injury prone Anthony Rendon at third."
Hernandez and the Angels make too much sense. He is loved by Dodgers fans, which could incentivize owner Arte Moreno to make a play for him.
