Teoscar Hernandez opens up about INCREDIBLE friendship with Shohei Ohtani after re-signing with LA Dodgers
Teoscar Hernandez spoke on his friendship with Shohei Ohtani after he re-signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers on a 3-year $66 million deal.
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Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernandez (Image via X)
A few days ago, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced the re-signing of Teoscar Hernandez. The 2024 World Series winners roped in Hernandez on a 3-year $66 million deal. Following this deal, the outfielder opened up about his friendship with Shohei Ohtani.
Ohtani had joined the Dodgers on a massive 10-year $700 million deal in December 2023. A few months later, the team brought in Hernandez on a one-year deal. The two would quickly get along with each other and form an incredible bond.
In an interview in Spanish with Grandes en los Deportes, the Dominican international opened up about his relationship with the Japanese star. Hernandez claimed that at first, he did not know whether Ohtani liked him or not. As per Hernandez, their friendship kicked off out of nowhere in Spring training.
It was incredible (the relationship with Ohtani). It was a friendship that was created out of nowhere. I don’t know if he liked me, but from the moment I arrived at training he greeted me and so on.
Teoscar Hernandez said
Teoscar: “Fue increíble (la relación con Ohtani). Fue una amistad que se creó de la nada. No sé si le caí en gracia, pero desde que llegué a los entrenamientos él me saludaba y demás”
— Grandes en los Deportes (@GrandesELD) December 31, 2024
In February 2024, Hernandez was seen teaching Spanish to Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. In the viral video, the 32-year-old would teach Ohtani and Yamamoto how to say “good morning” and seemed happy with their progress.
Shohei Ohtani learning Spanish from Teoscar Hernández is the content you didn't know you needed ??
— MLB (@MLB) February 21, 2024
(via @Dodgers) pic.twitter.com/ts5AxPQa8w
The duo of Hernandez and Ohtani played an integral part in their team’s triumph this year. They combined to hit 87 home runs while spearheading the Dodgers offense in the regular season. Both of them were named Silver Slugger Award winners for their performances throughout the campaign.
Teoscar Hernandez explains why the new deal with LA Dodgers took so long
After the conclusion of the World Series, it was likely that Teoscar Hernandez would test free agency and reject the qualifying offer from the team. He did just that and officially became a free agent by rejecting the one-year $21.05 million deal. Despite that, he was still keen on returning to the Dodgers. He has now explained why this new deal with the team took so long.
In the interview with Grandes en los Deportes, Hernandez claimed that money was not the most important thing for him. It was the structure of the deal that mattered more to him.
More of a matter of how the contract was going to be structured… I have always said for me money is not the most important thing and I was simply waiting for them to structure me.
Teoscar Hernandez said
Teoscar Hernández explains why a new deal with the Dodgers took almost 2 months:
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) December 31, 2024
"More of a matter of how the contract was going to be structured… I have always said for me money is not the most important thing and I was simply waiting for them to structure me." pic.twitter.com/RSNzioXBGB
Apart from Hernandez, the Dodgers have also re-signed veteran pitcher Blake Treinen and extended the contract of Tommy Edman. As for new signings, they have brought in 2-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell and Michael Confronto.
With the return of Hernandez, the Dodgers would be aiming to do, what no team has done in over two decades now – win back-to-back World Series titles.
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Vinay Dave
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