Dodgers Make Surprising Move: Acquire Kiké Hernandez from Red Sox Ahead of Trade Deadline

In a move that raised eyebrows across the baseball community, the Los Angeles Dodgers pulled off a surprise acquisition by bringing Kiké Hernandez back into their fold from the Boston Red Sox just days before the August 1 trade deadline. This unexpected maneuver has added a new twist to the Dodgers’ strategy as they continue to assert their dominance in the NL West.

Hernandez, a player who may not have seemed like an obvious trade target due to his lackluster performance as a center fielder-turned-shortstop with the Red Sox, surprised many. In Boston, his batting average languished at a mediocre .222, accompanied by an unimpressive .279 on-base percentage and a modest .320 slugging percentage.

“I think it sort of goes with experience, and he’s experienced a lot since he’s left here. Some good, some not so good,” Roberts said in a pregame scrum recently. “I do think that him coming back here a second time, there’s a lot of gratitude and realizing how good it is to play in a Dodger uniform in any capacity. And so I think that it’s showing the benefits of it and I think that he’s got complete clarity and joy to be back.”

However, since his reunion with the Dodgers, Hernandez has undergone a remarkable transformation. The month of August has witnessed Hernandez rediscovering his batting prowess, boasting an impressive .321 batting average coupled with a substantial .861 OPS (On-Base Plus Slugging) and a tally of 10 runs batted in across 17 games. Notably, Hernandez’s prior stint with the Dodgers spanning six years has had a lasting impact, earning him the respect and admiration of manager Dave Roberts.

Hernandez’s standout season was in 2018 during his tenure with the Dodgers, marked by his 21 home runs and a respectable .256 batting average. His initial departure from the team was driven by his aspiration to hold a prominent role as an everyday player rather than being sporadically utilized against left-handed pitchers.

“I think that he always is going to want for more and I have no problem with that,” Roberts said. “I do think that coming back here under these circumstances, there is a complete acceptance and understanding of whatever is asked of you, where maybe the first go-around that wasn’t always the case.

Via SNLA

According to Roberts, the dynamics have shifted since Hernandez’s return. The Dodgers have masterfully integrated Hernandez into their lineup, a factor contributing to their August surge. With the exception of a sole loss to San Diego, the Dodgers have notched victories in every other game throughout August. This impressive streak has propelled them to establish a significant lead of 9 games over their NL West rivals, the San Francisco Giants.

As the Dodgers ride high on their success, Kiké Hernandez’s unexpected homecoming has undoubtedly proven to be a game-changer. His resurgence at the plate, combined with the team’s remarkable winning streak, cements their status as a force to be reckoned with in the NL West division.