We can all see that the 2024 free agent market is quite quiet! As with everything, there are exceptions and Shohei Ohtani's contract confirms this. That said, there are still many players currently unemployed and no one knows when the fervor will resume. If she resumes.
Players have started to speak out on the subject elsewhere.
This is the case of Teoscar Hernandez, Kevin Kiermaier and Lucas Giolito. The latter have signed short-term agreements, a latent sign of a market that is slowing down. Hernandez and Kiermaier signed for a single campaign, Giolito, for his part, for two.
For these three players, who have been there, the slowness of the market justifies the high number of free agents.
Astonishment on the part of Hernandez
The former Astros, Blue Jays and Mariners did not expect to sign a one-year contract. Although he received a two-year contract offer from the Red Sox as previously reported, Teo signed in the short term, most likely against his first intentions, but more out of obligation. We agree, however, there are worse obligations than signing a $23.5 million contract with the Dodgers.
Speaking of Hernandez, a change of scenery will probably do him some good when it comes to his offensive stats. When we take the time to separate our performances at home and those abroad, we see a significant difference between the two. He performed much better in opposing stadiums than at T-Mobile Park.
In an attempt to explain his failures, the Dominican Republic native said that feeling comfortable at the plate was particularly important to him. In connection with this, we are therefore able to see that the latter has never really felt good in his new working environment with the Mariners in 2023, unlike his previous years in Houston or Toronto. The good news for him is that by aligning in Los Angeles this season, he will not have to go to T-Mobile Park in 2024. The Dodgers will receive a visit from the Mariners, but will not go.
Let's hope for him that he feels good at the plate at Dodger Stadium. Let's say that with a lineup of eight other hitters made up of, in particular, Ohtani, Betts, Freeman and company, there is something to feel good about!
