Red Sox sign Hernandez to multi year deal

*Photo from KTLA*

   The Boston Red Sox had been looking for upgrades at second base, as well as an additional outfielder. They checked off both those boxes at the same time. The Red Sox have signed utility player Enrique Hernandez to a two year, $14 million deal, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. Some of the money in Hernandez's contract is deferrable. The deal has been confirmed by the Red Sox.

   Hernandez won a world series ring in 2020 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, hitting .230 with a .680 OPS, hitting 5 homers and 20 RBI in 48 games played for the Dodgers. In his 7 year career, Hernandez is a .240 hitter with a .738 OPS, hitting 71 homers and 227 RBI in 690 games played in his career, splitting time with the Houston Astros, Miami Marlins, and the Dodgers.

   Hernandez can provide lots of defensive versatility for the Red Sox, as he has played at every position on the field except for catcher. He'll get the chance to compete for the starting second base job alongside Christian Arroyo and Michael Chavis at spring training, and slots in as the 4th outfielder in Boston, behind Alex Verdugo, Hunter Renfroe, and Andrew Benintendi. He can also serve as a backup when guys like Rafael Devers and Xander Bogaerts need a day off in the infield. 

   Hernandez talked about his defensive goals with the Red Sox, saying that "The plan is to come in and establish myself at second base. But I enjoy moving around, and I’ve gotten used to it the past seven years. As long as I can be in that lineup every day, I don’t care what position I’m playing."

   Hernandez has done his best hitting against left handed pitchers, hitting .263 with an .820 OPS and 37 homers against lefties, as opposed to .222 with a .673 OPS and 34 homers against righties. Hernandez has also received way more plate appearances against righties, despite his better average against lefties. 

   Hernandez is the latest addition to the Red Sox overall roster depth this winter, as Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom has also signed Renfroe, as well as pitchers Martin Perez, and Matt Andriese.