Dodgers Considering Reunion With Red Sox Slugger At Trade Deadline
The Boston Red Sox have some moves to make at the upcoming deadline, though their path is largely undefined with seven games left to play before having to make a final decision.
Regardless of their path, there is one player that should be on the move, and Boston might have found a trade partner.
"Los Angeles also would consider a reunion with Enrique Hernández, a league source said, if he is willing to fit into the kind of niche role the Dodgers are seeking to fill," The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya wrote Saturday. "Hernández, who wants to be an everyday player, has spent the past three seasons in Boston but could be the odd man out this weekend in the Red Sox’s pending roster crunch."
The Red Sox will have set their middle infield group in the coming days, meaning one of Pablo Reyes, Christian Arroyo or Hernández will have to be either designated for assignment or traded (possibly the former leading to the latter).
Hernández is hitting .218 with 17 extra-base hits including six home runs, 31 RBIs and a .593 OPS in 85 games. The 31-year-old impending free agent also happens to lead Major League Baseball with 15.
The trade does make some semblance of sense. If Boston can get even a player to be named later for Hernández, they should jump on that opportunity. He's hurting much more than helping by being on the roster and the move would clear up the middle infield decision-making until Trevor Story returns.
As for the Dodgers, they are well aware that Hernández is playing at his absolute floor. The veteran is due for a reset and there would be no better spot for him to do so than Dodger Stadium, where he is beloved. As Ardaya noted, Los Angeles could use a utility man with the ability to play shortstop and outfield.
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