Teoscar Hernandez remains one of the biggest names on the market. Hernandez has come off a stellar year with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he amassed 33 home runs and got his first World Series ring. So, when Teoscar reached free agency, it seemed like a reunion with the team was a guarantee and on the horizon. After all, not only did he deliver good numbers, but Hernandez is also a fan favorite. However, this deal hasn’t yet come to be; there is a major reason for the roadblock, and it’s Juan Soto!

After the former Yankee star signed with the New York Mets for a whopping $765 million, the contract numbers for the outfielders seem to have gone up. And given Hernandez has had a great year, he is expecting a good payday. Teoscar is expecting a three-year deal between $66 million and $72 million with no deferrals, as Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic mentioned, “The contract length does not appear to be a point of contention between the parties. The issue is money.” The Dodgers are not ready to pay that much, so, the conversations between the team and player have apparently stopped!

Teoscar Hernandez and the Dodgers have hit a roadblock

The Teoscar Hernandez saga has kind of hit a speed bump. According to Doug McKain from Dodgers Nation, the two sides haven’t spoken in over a week. McKain spilled the beans: “What I can tell you, based on my sources, is that the Dodgers and Teoscar Hernández, they haven’t communicated for over a week.” So, where does this leave things? While a reunion isn’t off the table, it’s clear that someone needs to blink and make a move. Right now, the LA Dodgers aren’t offering what Hernandez wants, and he’s also holding fast to his demand.

McKain mentioned at Dodgers Nation, “The deal that the Dodgers are offering Teo, I don’t think that he will ultimately accept. I think the Dodgers will have to up their offer.” Compromise will be the key if this deal sees daylight. McKain mentioned that while Teoscar Hernández has earned the right to a nice contract, he isn’t exactly the player the Dodgers are known to splurge on. His defense is iffy, and so are the many strikeouts.

But Hernandez has plenty going for him, from his ability to bring a spark both on and off the field to his impact on the WS-winning club, which can’t be ignored. “The pros outweigh the cons,” said McKain. If the Dodgers get him back on terms they and he are both comfortable with, then it would be a win for everyone.

Alternative for Dodgers instead of Hernandez

The Los Angeles Dodgers could be in a bind if Teoscar Hernadez departs in free agency. Because if he goes away, it would mean not just one less powerful bat but navigating and finding someone in a rather limited market. But there is one player who seems to fit the lineup: Seiya Suzuki, the Chicago Cubs outfielder! Suzuki is a productive player with a .824 OPS over three seasons and has just hit a career-high of 21 home runs. His joining Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in LA seems like a perfect fit, but there is one problem.

The Cubs are not thrilled enough to trade him. Ken Rosenthal mentioned, “The Cubs, according to a source briefed on the club’s thinking, are not inclined to trade Suzuki even after acquiring right fielder Kyle Tucker.” In Cub’s calculation, the market for right-hand hitters is thin, so replacing Suzuki with someone would be difficult. If Suzuki stays put, then the Los Angeles Dodgers alternatives aren’t huge. Anthony Santander’s price is high, and Luis Robert Jr. would require a steep trade package.

Time is sure running out; so, do you think Teoscar Hernandez and the Dodgers need to make a move fast? Share your take below.