Report: Twins one of four finalists to sign Kike Hernandez
The Twins are one of four finalists to sign free agent utilityman Kike Hernandez, according to a recent report from The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.
Hernandez, 32, is a career .239 hitter with 108 home runs and 393 RBIs across his 10-year Major League Baseball career. Also in the mix to sign the ultilityman are the Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants, per Rosenthal.
Hernandez underwent double hernia surgery on Oct. 24, which likely played into some of his struggles last season.
After hitting just .222 for the Boston Red Sox, Hernandez was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he did perform better, hitting .262 in 54 games and going 3 for 8 in three postseason games.
Hernandez could provide valuable depth for the Twins, particularly in the outfield, where Minnesota doesn't have many right-handed hitters. And with Byron Buxton's lengthy injury history, he would be a good option to step into center field should Buxton spend any significant time on the injured list.
Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Kike Hernandez (8) hits a single in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver on Sept. 26, 2023.
Isaiah J. Downing / USA TODAY Sports
