1:51 PM: The Mets’ offer to Hernandez “would have carried the same annual average value in the contract he agreed to with the Dodgers but without the waivers,” The Athletic’s Will Samson wrote. Such short-term outfield or DH deals help keep them possible for the Mets, if less than what would be required to sign Hernandez. For example, Sammon notes that the Mets are interested in re-signing him Jesse Winker in such a role.
1:25 PM: The Mets’ interest in the foreign free agent market seemed to be only limited Juan Sotounlike Soto’s other suitors, New York was not known to have a public interest in popular interests Teoscar Hernandez or Anthony Santander as backup plans if Soto signs elsewhere. However, with Soto already in, the Mets made a late bid for Hernandez, as Newsday’s Tim Healey reported that the Amazins offered the slugger a two-year deal earlier this week. The dollar amount is unknown, but Hernandez rejected the deal and rejoined the Dodgers on a three-year, $66MM deal.
Since the Mets have the financial resources available for any available player, their interest in Hernandez is likely a matter of diligence. There’s no harm, after all, in scouting a talented hitter to gauge his interest in joining the Mets, and president of baseball operations David Stearns may have seen an opening for a short-term deal since Hernandez has been on the market.
This is not to say that signing Hernandez would have been a bargain, of course, as he would have cost the Mets even more in draft and international bonus capital. Because New York skipped the luxury tax in 2024, signing Soto costs the Mets $1MM in int’l bonus money, as well as their second and fifth top picks in the 2025 draft. Like Soto, Hernandez also declined a qualifying offer, and therefore signing him would have required the Mets to give up another $1MM in their international bonus pool, as well as their third and fourth-highest draft picks.
Adding Hernandez would have greatly strengthened the outside picture. The first proposed platform contains Soto in the right position, Brandon Nimmo left, Jose Siri again Tyrone Taylor meet in the middle, Star Marte possibly relegated to DH duty, too Jeff McNeil, Jared Youngagain Luisangel Acuna able to step on the grass with a pinch. Had New York signed Hernandez, the likely scenario would have seen Nimmo return to center field, unless the Mets succeeded in opening up the DH spot by trading Marte. Reports from a few weeks ago suggested that the Mets were willing to eat some of the $19.5MM owed to Marte in the event of a trade, and while no deal was thought to happen, the Mets’ openness to capping the salary may indicate that. Marte is an excellent host.
If signing Hernandez was seen as a one-off situation, the Mets’ outfield depth likely means they are unlikely to seek Santander or another outfield bat unless Marte is dealt. In terms of additions to the overall program, New York remains tied to it Pete Alonso again Alex Bregman as the club looks to increase at least one infield slot.
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