NL West

After his impressive 2024 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, outfielder Teoscar Hernández is staying put in Hollywood for the foreseeable future.

According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive, Hernández agreed to re-sign with the Dodgers on a three-year, $66 million contract on Friday. ESPN's Jeff Passan added that the deal includes a fourth-year option worth $15 million.

Additionally, Hernández's contract includes $23 million in deferred money and a $23 million signing bonus, per Passan.

Source: The Mets offered Teoscar Hernandez a two-year contract this week, before he went back to the Dodgers for three years and $66 million.

It would’ve been a big plus for the lineup — and maybe put Brandon Nimmo back in center? — in their effort to add around Juan Soto.

— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) December 28, 2024

The news comes after Hernández appeared to confirm he was returning to the Dodgers on his Instagram story:

https://twitter.com/TalkinBaseball_/status/1872785357055631740

Los Angeles is Hernández's third team in the last four years, as he was traded from the Toronto Blue Jays to the Seattle Mariners after the 2022 season before signing with the Dodgers ahead of the 2024 campaign.

Hernández is coming off a strong season in which he earned his second career All-Star selection and helped lead the Dodgers to a 98-64 finish, the best record in the National League. He was the 2024 Home Run Derby champion and finished the year with a career-high 33 home runs while adding 99 RBI and batting .272. During the playoffs, he hit .250 with three homers and 12 RBI as the Dodgers won the World Series by defeating the New York Yankees in five games.

After the season, Hernández was named a Silver Slugger Award winner for the third time in his career.

The 2025 season will be the 10th year in Hernández's major-league career. He made his MLB debut in 2016 as a member of the Houston Astros before being traded to the Blue Jays the following year. He hit 20 or more home runs in six of the last eight years.

By holding onto Hernández, the Dodgers are retaining an experienced slugger who is entering the prime of his career. The 32-year-old should continue to produce at a high level as a member of a talented lineup that also includes 2024 NL MVP Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.

The Associated Press named Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani as its Male Athlete of the Year for the third time, a feat that puts him level with NBA legend Michael Jordan.

Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods and LeBron James are the only four-time winners.

"I'm very honored," Ohtani told the AP's Beth Harris through his translator, Matt Hidaka. "Obviously all the hard work has paid off. Maybe next year, I'll get the award again.

Ohani added, "Growing up in Japan, I did follow Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods. I would see their accolades and how they were successful in the United States."

The Dodgers couldn't have asked more of Ohtani after inking him to what was then a record-setting $700 million contract.

He was an MVP for the third time in four seasons after leading the National League in home runs (54), RBI (130), on-base percentage (.390), and slugging percentage (.646). He also became the first player in MLB history with 50 homers and 50 stolen bases in the same season.

The 30-year-old also had some big moments during his first trip to the playoffs. He had a three-run homer in Game 1 of the NLDS and then posted a .364/.548/.636 slash line in the NLCS.

Off the field, Ohtani has boosted what was already a sizable profile for the Dodgers. Team CEO Stan Kasten told MLB.com's Adam McCalvy that Ohtani "has brought new fans."

"He's changed the mix of demographics at our stadium for games," Kasten said. "We have changed some of the merchandise, changed some of the concession offerings. We have a raft of daily tours [in Japanese] we didn't have before. We have a raft of new sponsors with Japanese connections we didn't have before."

Los Angeles didn't even get to enjoy the full arsenal of Ohtani's skill set since elbow surgery precluded the right-hander from stepping onto the mound. All 159 of his appearances came as a designated hitter.

As cliché as it sounds, the thing with transcendent talents is they eventually make the extraordinary look ordinary. In Ohtani's case, he continues to find new ways to keep baseball fans riveted.

Walker Buehler is joining the Boston Red Sox on a one-year deal after helping the Los Angeles Dodgers win the 2024 World Series.

Buehler and the Red Sox are agreeing to a one-year, $21.05 million deal with incentives, according to Yahoo Sports' Russell Dorsey. The deal is pending a physical, per Dorsey.

Here's a look at the Red Sox's overhauled starting rotation following the team's latest signing.

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Red Sox 2025 projected starting rotation

1. Garrett Crochet
2. Tanner Houck
3. Walker Buehler
4. Brayan Bello
5. Kutter Crawford
6. Lucas Giolito

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The Red Sox had $147 million allocated to the 2025 payroll and $171 million in projected payroll allocations prior to the signing, according to Spotrac.

Boston is currently set to remain well under the first tier of the MLB luxury tax, which is projected to sit at $241 million for the 2025 season.

The deal with Buehler matches the $21.05 million qualifying offer the Red Sox extended to starter Nick Pivetta earlier this season. Pivetta declined the deal in favor of testing free agency.

The Red Sox instead used the money to add Buehler, who could potentially move as high as No. 3 in the rotation.

The order is currently led by Garrett Crochet, whom the Red Sox acquired in exchange for multiple top prospects this offseason. Houck could meanwhile be set to slot in behind Crochet after earning his first career All-Star nod in 2024.

Buehler's fit in the rotation isn't completely clear given his up-and-down campaign in 2024.

After missing the 2023 season amid recovery from Tommy John surgery, Buehler was sidelined for the beginning of the 2024 campaign and missed another two months mid-season. He ended up posting a 5.38 ERA in 16 regular-season starts.

Buehler then upped his free-agency stock with four postseason starts. He threw the final pitch in Game 5 of the World Series to force the New York Yankees' Alex Verdugo into a swinging strikeout and earn the title for the Dodgers.

THE DODGERS ARE THE 2024 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS! 👏 pic.twitter.com/kVtjJjltRb

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 31, 2024

The Red Sox will now hope that having Buehler two seasons removed from surgery will allow him to regain the form that earned him an All-Star nod and Cy Young votes during his 2021 campaign with the Dodgers.

If Buehler bounces back and Lucas Giolito is able to succeed in his return from elbow surgery, the Red Sox's new-look rotation could help position the team as contenders for the top of the AL East.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have obtained first baseman Josh Naylor from the Cleveland Guardians in a trade, the team announced Saturday.

ESPN's Jeff Passan first reported the terms of the trade:

Full trade, per ESPN sources:

Arizona acquires: 1B Josh Naylor

Cleveland acquires: RHP Slade Cecconi and a competitive balance Round B draft pick

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 21, 2024

Naylor wrapped up last season with a .243 batting average, 31 home runs and 108 RBI for the 92-69 Guardians.

The Guardians acquired right-handed pitcher Slade Cecconi and a competitive balance Round B draft pick in the trade.

In addition, 39-year-old first baseman Carlos Santana signed a one-year, $12 million contract with the Cleveland Guardians, pending a physical, immediately following the news of Naylor's departure, according to Passan.

Naylor began his career with the San Diego Padres in 2019 before spending five seasons with the Guardians. Last season with the Guardians, Naylor had a career year, setting personal bests in both RBI and home runs.

During the Guardians' postseason run, which ended with a 4-1 loss to the New York Yankees in the AL Championship Series, Naylor tallied two runs, nine hits and five RBI, posting a .225 batting average.

The signing comes just one day after former Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker reached a three-year, $60 million deal with the Houston Astros, leaving a significant gap in Arizona's infield.

Last season with the Diamondbacks, Walker hit 26 home runs, drove in 84 RBI and posted a .251 batting average, playing a key role in Arizona's 89-73 season.

Naylor will have big shoes to fill for an Arizona team aiming to return to the World Series, as they did in 2023.

Ongoing free agency negotiations with outfielder Teoscar Hernández have reportedly led the Los Angeles Dodgers to consider potentially trading for his replacement.

The Dodgers have reportedly considered deals for Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. or Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.

Los Angeles has also talked about pursuing former San Diego Padres infielder Ha-Seong Kim in free agency, according to Rosenthal.

The Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly competing with the Dodgers to sign Hernández. He is seeking a three-year deal worth around $22 to $24 million per season, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.

The Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees and Cincinnati Reds have also been tied to Hernández by MLB insider Héctor Gómez.

After playing a key role in the Dodgers' run to the World Series, Hernández is likely looking to cash in on something longer-term than the one-year deal he inked in Los Angeles last season.

ESPN's Alden Gonzalez reported on Dec. 8 that the Dodgers had "been in negotiations for the past few weeks but have been unable to bridge the gap."

The two parties have yet to reach a resolution two weeks later, and the Dodgers will likely need some right-handed batting help if he heads elsewhere.

Robert, who earned an All-Star nod and a Silver Slugger Award for his 2023 campaign with the White Sox, saw his production dip to career lows as he struggled with a hip flexor injury last season.

The Dodgers could hope Robert will be able to recover to the form that saw him tie for the White Sox lead with 80 RBI two seasons ago.

Suzuki holds a full no-trade clause, so he has a say in whether or not he would be heading to Los Angeles in a potential trade.

He reportedly doesn't want to stick with the DH position he assumed for the end of the 2024 season (h/t Jordan Bastian), so being offered a spot in the Dodgers outfield could be enough to draw him to California.

Kim declined his side of an $8 million mutual option to become a free agent this offseason after earning a Golden Glove Award in 2023. He underwent shoulder surgery in September and could miss the start of the 2025 season, but would add strong defense to the outfield when he returns.

Whether the Dodgers pursue any of these potential deals could hinge on Hernández's decision. The outfielder has previously said he wants to remain in Los Angeles if he can work out a deal with the reigning World Series champs.

MLB teams broke records for luxury tax penalties accrued in 2024.

According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, nine squads were penalized a total of $311.305 million for exceeding luxury tax thresholds throughout the year. The Los Angeles Dodgers accounted for $103.016 million of the combined penalties, while the New York Mets and New York Yankees rounded out the top three.

There's an MLB record $311.305 million in luxury tax penalties this year, more than $100 million more than a year ago, by nine teams that eclipsed the luxury tax.
Dodgers: $103.016M
Mets: $97.116M
Yankees: $62.512M
Phillies: $14.351M
Atlanta: $14.026M
Rangers:$10.807M
Astros:…

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 20, 2024

The trio of organizations also represented the only teams to have payrolls exceeding $300 million in 2024.

The Final 2024 MLB Payrolls (Top 9):
Dodgers: $353.015M
Mets: $347.650M
Yankees: $316.192M
Atlanta: $276.144M
Rangers: $268.445M
Astros: $264.759M
Phillies: $264.314M
Giants: $249.108M
Cubs: $239.851M

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 20, 2024

The Dodgers, Mets, Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies were taxed at a base rate of 50 percent after staying over the tax for at least three straight years (h/t ESPN's Jesse Rogers).

Los Angeles' luxury tax spending paid off, defeating the Bronx Bombers in five games to win the 2024 World Series. While the Yankees didn't emerge victorious in the Fall Classic, they secured their first American League pennant since 2009.

The Mets provided a challenge to the Dodgers in their National League Championship Series clash before ultimately falling in six games.

Of the nine MLB organizations with Competitive Balance Tax payrolls higher than $237 million, the San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers were the only teams that ended the year with a losing record. The Giants finished 80-82, while the Rangers struggled with injuries during their World Series defense and sat at 78-84 by the end of the season.

Luxury tax penalties haven't dissuaded the top teams from staying active in free agency.

The Mets handed star outfielder Juan Soto a record-breaking 15-year contract worth $765 million. The Yankees have remained active after losing Soto, signing starter Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million deal.

Los Angeles hasn't been satisfied after winning a championship, inking star lefty Blake Snell to a five-year contract worth $182 million.

After making history in 2024, total luxury tax payments could continue to climb in 2025.

Just over one month away from end of the 45-day window for teams to sign Rōki Sasaki, the Los Angeles Dodgers are still viewed as the frontrunner for the 23-year-old among people around MLB.

Per ESPN's Buster Olney, the Dodgers are "probably" the betting favorite for Sasaki right now.

Sasaki was officially posted for MLB teams on Dec. 9, making him eligible to sign any time between now and Jan. 23.

Joel Wolfe, Sasaki's agent, told reporters at the winter meetings his client will likely sign not long after the 2025 international free-agent period opens on Jan. 15.

"The incentive to sign as early as possible is to get the visa process going so that he would be on time for spring training," Wolfe said.

Being classified as part of the 2025 international class does allow for more teams to present Sasaki with better offers, though he is still limited in what he can earn based on the amount clubs have in their assigned bonus pool.

The bonus money ranges from $5.1 million to $7.6 million. The Dodgers are one of two teams tied for the lowest bonus allotment, along with the San Francisco Giants.

In a survey of executives around the league conducted by MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo, the Dodgers and San Diego Padres were voted as the two teams most-likely to sign Sasaki. Los Angeles led the responses with 11 votes, followed by the Padres with seven. No other team received more than one vote.

There were rumblings early in the offseason that Sasaki already had an agreement in place with the Dodgers, but Wolfe vehemently denied the allegation.

"While a bunch of executives who should know me better and do a lot of business with me insult my integrity by insinuating that I would be a part of some type of nefarious agreement," Wolfe told The Athletic's Evan Drellich, "in reality, this is just poor sportsmanship."

Any type of deal like that would be in violation of MLB rules and result in significant punishment for the organization, including fines, suspensions and loss of future signing rights.

The Dodgers have had good luck signing anyone they want, but particularly international free agents. It was just one year ago they won the Yoshinobu Yamamoto sweepstakes by giving him a 12-year, $325 million contract.

Even though MLB rules prevent Sasaki from earning anything close to that on his first contract, the Dodgers still feel like they will be the landing spot when he makes his ultimate decision.

Sasaki has spent the past four seasons pitching for Chiba Lotte in NPB. He went 10-5 with a 2.35 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 111 innings pitched during the 2024 campaign.

Free agent Teoscar Hernández is one of the top outfielders remaining on the open market, and he's reportedly hoping to secure a lengthy contract.

According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, Hernández "is seeking a three-year deal in the $22-24 million a year range, per sources." The 32-year-old spent the 2024 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers on a one-year contract worth $23.5 million, so it makes sense that he wants the security of a longer-term deal this offseason.

Hernández is coming off one of the best years of his career, winning a World Series title with the Dodgers and earning his second All-Star selection. The veteran slugger hit a career-high 33 home runs while adding 99 RBI, and he added three homers and 12 RBI in the postseason.

Feinsand noted that the Dodgers and Hernández "seemed headed for a reunion, but the two sides haven't been able to reach a deal thus far." The delay has "opened the door for other teams" like the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays "to jump in on the outfielder."

Hernandez proved that he could be a consistent source of production on a title-winning team, so the Dodgers will have to work a little harder to avoid losing him to the open market.

A piece of Los Angeles Dodgers history sold for a cool $1.56 million on Saturday.

SCP Auctions sold the ball Freddie Freeman hit for a walk-off grand slam in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series against the New York Yankees. It seemed like New York might steal Game 1 on the road when it scored a run in the top of the 10th inning, but Freeman launched the grand slam in the bottom half to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead in the series.

They went on to win the Fall Classic in five games, giving them a second championship in five years.

As the SCP Auctions page explained, 10-year-old Zachary Ruderman ended up with the ball after it landed in the row in front of him and bounced around some. He was able to get it to his father, Nico, which was quite the full-circle moment for the child who initially thought he was leaving school that day to get his braces removed.

Ten-year-old Zachary Ruderman thought he was leaving school early to get his braces removed.

Instead, his parents took him to Dodger Stadium for Game 1 of the World Series. He then caught Freddie Freeman’s walk-off grand slam ball.

It will go to auction in December.… pic.twitter.com/jCqKCDW1fj

— The Athletic MLB (@TheAthleticMLB) November 20, 2024

"With so many images and videos available, Sports Investors Authentication was able to make a conclusive photo-match of Freddie Freeman's Grand Slam Walk-Off baseball," the page said.

SCP noted the ball features scuff marks from its time ricocheting underneath the right-field bleacher seats as well as the mark from Freeman's bat.

While MLB Authentication was unable to sticker certify the ball, Nico Ruderman completed a polygraph test ensuring this is the same ball. Part of the proceeds will go toward Zachary's education.

Freeman ended up winning the World Series MVP with an incredible performance.

The grand slam was the most notable moment, but he ended up with four home runs and 12 RBI in five games.

Shohei Ohtani's eventual return to the mound isn't going to come at the start of the 2025 season.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters on Monday it was "very unlikely" that Ohtani would be able to pitch by then, though added he expects him to be ready to go as a hitter.

The superstar slugger had arthroscopic surgery for a torn labrum in his left shoulder in November.

The Dodgers have little incentive to rush Ohtani back to the starting rotation.

For one, he's already arguably the most impactful offensive force in baseball, winning the NL MVP after hitting .310 with 54 homers, 130 RBI, 134 runs, 59 stolen bases and a 1.036 OPS. And the Dodgers have already built a strong rotation, adding Blake Snell to a mix that also includes Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, among others.

General manager Brandon Gomes told reporters in November that the Dodgers won't rush him back to the mound.

"I think there's a lot of questions there of making sure that he is in a good place," he said. "I don't want to speculate on any of that. We're just [keeping the] big picture in mind and making sure that, working backwards, [we're doing] what puts us in the best position for him to be taking down innings in October. And however that falls out, we'll be happy with."

Given Ohtani's prowess as a hitter, however, it's easy to forget that he's 38-19 in his career as a pitcher with a 3.01 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 608 strikeouts in 481.2 innings. He isn't going to give a team 200 innings a year, but he is an excellent option as part of a rotation, and his two-way status makes him the most unique MLB superstar since Babe Ruth.

The Dodgers know the value of having plenty of pitching options in the holster after being ravaged by injuries in 2024. Getting back Ohtani as a pitcher will eventually help in that regard, but at least to start the 2025 season, the Dodgers will need to call on depth from elsewhere.