Report: Red Sox, Enrique Hernandez agree to 2-year, $14M contract
The Boston Red Sox and free-agent infielder/outfielder Enrique Hernandez reached an agreement on a two-year, $14-million contract, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
The contract, which is pending a physical, contains some deferred money, a source told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Hernandez will help fill a hole for the Red Sox at second base - a position they've been trying to upgrade all winter - while also offering manager Alex Cora plenty of options. A versatile talent, Hernandez has made at least one career appearance at every position but catcher, and has significant experience playing all three outfield spots.
After serving the Dodgers as a utility man, Hernández’s primary objective in free agency was to secure an everyday job, preferably at one position. Should get that opportunity at second base with the Red Sox. https://t.co/yXlcBcDaeF
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 23, 2021
The 29-year-old is a career .240/.313/.425 hitter with 71 home runs across parts of seven major-league seasons with three teams. A right-handed hitter, Hernandez owns superior splits against southpaw pitchers during his career and could be deployed as part of a platoon role.
Hernandez's career splits
| Role | PA | BA | OPS | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| vs. RHP | 1115 | .222 | .673 | 34 | 127 |
| vs. LHP | 893 | .263 | .820 | 37 | 100 |
Hernandez moves to Boston after six seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he was an important and popular utility player. Last year, he slashed .230/.270/.410 with five homers and 20 RBIs during the shortened season while primarily playing second base and right field. He added another six hits in the playoffs during the Dodgers' run to the World Series title.