Monday, February 26, 2024
Copyrighted by Sarah Morris, 2024
On Monday, the Los Angeles Dodgers traded Manny Margot and a shortstop prospect Rayne Doncon to the Minnesota Twins for a shortstop prospect Noah Miller. The Dodgers also sent cash to cover Margot. After the trade, the Dodgers signed free agent fan-favorite Kiké Hernández to a one-year deal.
The Dodgers acquired Margot along with right-handed starter Tyler Glasnow from the Tampa Bay Rays for right-handed pitcher Ryan Pepiot and an outfield prospect Johnny DeLuca this December.
Margot is a right-handed outfielder who doesn’t have much power. He can play all three outfield positions. He is an average offensive player. Since the Dodgers’ lineup is loaded with left-handed hitters, the team thought it could use a right-handed hitter. The Dodgers figure to platoon Jason Heyward with a right-handed hitter in right fielder.
In January, the Dodgers signed right-handed hitting Teoscar Hernández, a right-handed power-hitting outfielder. Hernàndez figures to start in left field mainly. However, he can play right field too.
The emergence of Miguel Vargas as a left fielder this spring made Margot spendable.
A year ago, Vargas had a miserable rookie season, making the Dodgers demoted him at the All-Star break to Oklahoma City. In early spring training of 2023, Vargas broke his left pinky while fielding a ground ball. While he could play defense, he wasn’t allowed to swing the bat until the third week of spring training. This shook Vargas’ confidence in his offensive ability.
Second base was a new position for Vargas since in the minor leagues, he primarily played third base. Also, he had a different double play partner than he planned because of the season-ending knee injury suffered by Gavin Lux.
While playing below-average defensive second base, Vargas hit .195 with 7 home runs and 32 RBI in 81 games. The Dodgers sent Vargas to their Triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma City. He didn’t impress anyone at AAA, so the Dodgers didn’t promote Vargas.
A week after the offseason began, Vargas began working with his father, brother, and the Dodger first base coach Clayton McCullough on learning how to play left field. During early spring training, the Dodgers brought in their former Gold Glove Andre Ethier to tutor Vargas.
Already Vargas has made spectacular defensive plays in left field. If he can show he can hit satisfactorily, Vargas could make the Opening Day roster. If not, Vargas will appear in a Dodger uniform sometime during the 2024 regular season.
Kiké Hernàndez came to the Dodgers in 2015 from the Miami Marlins. From 2016 to 2020, Kiké Hernàndez played an integral role in the Dodger success. No Dodger fan will ever forget when Hernàndez hit three home runs during Game 6 in the 2016 NLCS against the Chicago Cubs, sending the Dodgers to the World Series for the first time since 1988. He blasted the game-tying home run during Game 7 against the Atlanta Braves. If Hernàndez hadn’t hit that shot, Cody Bellinger wouldn’t have had the opportunity to hit the game-winning home run that sent the Dodgers to the 2020 World Series, which the Dodgers beat the Rays.
After the abbreviated 2020 season, Hernández went to the Boston Red Sox since he wanted to be an everyday player. His first season in Boston was excellent, but he became injured in the second season.
The Red Sox re-signed Hernández to a one-year $10 million contract. When their shortstop Trevor Story underwent Tommy John surgery, the Red Sox decided to make Hernàndez their everyday shortstop. It was a disaster.
Just before the trading deadline, the Red Sox traded Hernández to the Dodgers. He played 54 games with the Dodgers and hit .262 with 5 home runs and 30 RBI.
After the Dodgers were eliminated from the NLDS against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Hernández underwent double hernia surgery. He should be ready to play on Opening Day. On Monday, February 26, 2024, the Dodgers signed Hernández to a one-year $4 million deal.
Hernández will bring the Dodgers enthusiasm. Over the course of the 162-game regular season, he lightens and helps his teammates to have fun.
If Hernández isn’t ready for the Opening Day roster, it gives either Vargas or Andy Pages an opportunity to play. Pages, coming off a labrum injury, has impressed this spring. At some point this season, Pages will make his major-league debut.
The Dodgers will benefit from Hernández’s versatility. Whereas Margot can play only in the outfield, Hernández can play everywhere on the diamond. In the major leagues, he has played every position in the major leagues, except catcher. If the Dodgers need an emergency catcher, Hernández would be the guy.
