The first stint of this utility player with the Dodgers was extremely successful. A fan favorite, he helped the team win a World Series in his final season in 2020. So, the Dodgers took a chance by bringing him back for a second stint in 2023 with the hope of a recap. A brave call, indeed. Because he had struggled in the seasons he was away from the Dodgers. Despite that, the team stuck with him because they believed that reuniting him with the hitting coaches and some of his old teammates could help him tap into something.

After closing out the 2023 campaign in Los Angeles, compiling a .262/.308/.423 slash line along with five homers in 54 games, the Dodgers agreed to a one-year deal worth $4 million with him in February, last year. This time he delivered when it mattered the most. He played in 14 of the Dodgers’ 16 postseason games, hitting .294/.357/.451 with two home runs, six RBI and 11 runs scored in the process, helping bring home a second World Series championship for the team in the past four years.

After this success, when this utility player, Enrique Hernandez, became a free agent, he had all the hopes and wishes to come back to the Dodgers. “I really, really hope that I’m back next year so we can run it back. So make sure you guys talk to Friedman and those guys, and let them know,” he had said. But in a surprising move, the Dodgers agreed to a three-year deal with Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim just days back. The roster also has 3 utility players now, casting doubts if Hernandez will at all come back. However, Philadelphia’s name is in the mix for his next home. Does that fit well?

The Phillies have gaps in their roster and they know it. The Puerto Rican player could provide defensive prowess and reliability. The Dodgers Nation’s X handle posted quoting Eno Saris of the Athletic MLB that it’s a move that checks a lot of boxes for a team looking to solidify their bench depth and bolster their postseason hopes.

“He’s more of a sure thing offensively and rated as a positive defensively at all of his positions,” a perfect description of Hernández’s value. The versatile veteran can man virtually every spot on the field, whether it’s second base, shortstop, or the outfield. That flexibility would be a huge asset to a Phillies squad, allowing manager Rob Thomson to give guys like Nick Castellanos a break late in games without sacrificing defensive stability.

This versatility was also seen when he was with the Dodgers last year. He filled in for Max Muncy while he was hurt. Hernandez filled in when Freddie Freeman was injured. Hernandez even took the mound during the regular season when the bullpen ran out of relievers. For this same versatility, the Puerto Rican baseball player was a fan favorite of the Dodgers. Unfortunately despite the utility player being open about his desire to go back to the men in blue, the Dodgers haven’t offered him a deal.

Enrique Hernandez is at a crossroads this offseason

As a fan favorite for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Enrique Hernandez’s free agent status has left fans wondering if he’ll return for another season in LA. Recently, Hernandez opened up about his uncertain future in an honest interview on The Shop. “I wish I knew. If this was happening a month later, I’d have a better idea,” Hernández said when asked where he’ll be playing next season. “Main priority for me would probably be coming back.“

As much as Hernandez has made a home in Los Angeles and expressed his desire to return, the situation is far from settled. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi weighed in with the latest updates on his status, noting that the Dodgers’ crowded roster could complicate things. “I haven’t heard a ton in the last 24 hours about where he might land,” Morosi said. “I think part of that with the Dodgers, too, is they still have Chris Taylor, they just extended (Tommy) Edman, they still have Gavin Lux. I would say if they trade Lux, it creates a clearer path for at-bats for Kiké on the team at the moment.”

While Morosi acknowledged that the Dodgers remain a strong fit for the Puerto Rican player, he also pointed out that other teams could present more immediate opportunities. “There’s probably other teams, honestly, that have a greater need for him right now. The question, though, is would he actually want to go and sign somewhere else as long as the Dodger possibility is there?”. The offseason drama surrounding Hernandez took a fun turn when he swapped his Dodgers hat for a question mark in his Instagram profile picture, sparking speculation and excitement among fans. It was a playful but poignant move, one that hinted at the uncertainty of his next chapter.