The Dodgers have reportedly reacquired former Dodger Enrique Hernandez from the Red Sox in exchange for pitchers Nick Robertson, Justin Hagenman and some potassium. I joke about the potassium, but the super utility man is rejoining the Dodgers in a bizarre move that I think will benefit the boys in blue in a couple of different ways. Hernandez is having a poor year in Boston Slashing .222/.279/.320 with 6 home runs in 323 plate appearances, but has moved around the diamond during his recent tenure in Beantown. This year he’s primarily played shortstop, second, and centerfield. The Dodgers can use some help at shortstop, and second, so it’s possible he’ll see some reps there.
Robertson is a seventh-round 25-year old middle reliever with an ERA over 6, and Hagenman is a triple-A pitcher that has yet to reach the majors, so they’re not giving up much to get him. most importantly, he’s a proven postseason hitter with a lot of experience that can come of the bench and give the Dodgers some much needed right handed power. The bench has been terrible this year.
Dodgers getting Kiké Hernandez, sources tell me and @FabianArdaya.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 25, 2023
Hernandez was with the Dodgers from 2015-2020, winning a World Series with the club in his final season. Hernandez had some lackluster years at the plate with the Dodgers. Such as when he batted .190 in 2016, with a 64 OPS+, or when he hit .215 the following season. I gave him lot’s of crap for it, but it was all mostly in good fun and frustration. Yet the former swiss-army knife has at times demonstrated extreme spurts of power, talent, and clutch hitting like we’ve never seen before. He’s well known for hitting three home runs in the pennant clinching game 5 of the 2017 NLCS against the Cubs. He also blasted the game-tying home run in game 7 of the 2020 NLCS against the Braves that helped setup Cody Bellinger‘s series clinching home run that sent the Dodgers to the World Series. That was his eighth career postseason home run and he went on to a hit a few more for the Red Sox. During his first stint in Los Angeles, he danced around the clubhouse, wore tight pants, and dressed up as a banana.
And if he comes off the bench in the postseason this year and smashes another game-tying home run, you’ll be glad the Dodgers picked him back up again. Bring on the Bananas!
I’m sure many fans will be happy to see the Banana Man back in Dodger Blue. His experience and his versatility on defense will definitely help in the middle infield, but do we really need another outfielder? Offensively, he has had a so-so year, but again, he has post-season experience, and could help if the change of scenery and return the Dodgers can revive Kiki’s career to his former self. I’m on the fence with this acquisition. It does not really address the real needs of the Dodgers, and just adds more cards to the deck for DR to shuffle his lineup around.
Lost a couple of middle relief prospects in the process. Robertson I’m OK with, but Hagenman I question. Anyone would be better than “Lil’ Thor” Bickford.
Nice win last night. Bailed Bickford out, but game should not have been that difficult, if they had not blown so many opportunities (5-13 RISP, 11 K’s, and 9 LOB). They blew game one too, courtesy of Lil’ Thor, and 2-13 RISP, 12 LOB, 9 KO’s. Do not agree with DR throwing Bickford back on the mound after blowing the previous game….Why does he do that?
Oh Well…. Go Blue! At least try to salvage the series.
Keepin’ it short, but cannot stop sounding like a broken record….
Gonsolin remains a heavy burden to starting rotation.
Dodger Offense again a “No Show” (1-10 RISP, 9 LOB, 12 KO’s)
Tyson Miller, a typical Friedman dumpster find.
Kiké not much help, offensively (I know, only his 1st game back)
Dodgers continue to struggle with Bickford, while trading away journeyman middle reliever Hagenman for Kiké.
Not good, Dodger Fans.