As 2024 nears its end, the Minnesota Twins enter next season without a right-handed outfielder. Perhaps the best free-agent right-handed outfield bat out there is Teoscar Hernandez, who is rumored to want a contract with an average annual value between $22 and $24 million.
22 and $24 million. However, with the Twins’ current payroll situation and ownership uncertainty, the Minnesota front office will pass on Hernandez, which is disappointing.
Teoscar Hernandez could fill the Minnesota Twins' need for a right-handed outfielder
Manuel Margot had his $12 million mutual option declined, which was an unsurprising choice given his awful lone season in Minnesota. Byron Buxton, Michael Helmean, and Austin Martin are the only right-handed outfield bats on the Twins 40-man roster.
Exciting prospects Emmanuel Rodriguez and Walker Jenkins will be in discussion, but both are left-handed hitters. Jenkins, in particular, has an estimated time of arrival for 2026.
Hernandez was stellar last season for the world-champion Los Angeles Dodgers, as the veteran produced 4.3 bWAR and a career-high 33 home runs. For the second time in the previous four seasons, Hernandez was named an All-Star, finished in the top 20 in MVP voting, and won a Silver Slugger Award.
Hernandez makes lots of sense for the Twins and was projected by FanSided’s Nick Villano to sign with Minnesota. Villano states that Hernandez won’t make major free agent money this offseason. According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, Hernandez is favored to re-sign with the Dodgers, but that is not set in stone. Boston and AL Central rival Toronto are also interested in Hernandez.
Minnesota Twins' payroll restrictions make signing Teoscar Hernandez unlikely
Given the Twins’ “right-sizing” of their payroll, this year’s offseason has been quiet and unremarkable. After last season's collapse, Twins fans want to see more effort put into the payroll to avoid a similar letdown for this upcoming season. Not only is Hernandez available to fill a bona-fide need for the Twins, but he also gives Rocco Baldelli’s club the big, durable bat missing from the lineup.
While Hernandez is not favored to be signed by Minnesota, the Twins should make a run at the free-agent slugger. Unfortunately, payroll will hinder those chances, if not take Minnesota out of the running.