According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports, the Los Angeles Dodgers and outfielder Teoscar Hernández are still trying to negotiate a deal.

Nightengale spoke exclusively with Doug McKain of Dodgers Nation on Wednesday at the Major League Baseball Winter Meetings in Dallas and answered questions about the best hitter available in free agency.

“I think other teams’ chases have gotten stronger, the teams that didn’t get (Juan) Soto,” Nightengale said. “I still think he ends up with the Dodgers, maybe for a little more money than the Dodgers originally thought.”

Because some of these free agent contracts are so expensive, Hernández and his camp might have increased their asking price, causing a delay.

“I would imagine Teoscar Hernández would like to get that fourth year, instead of making it a three-year, $65, $70 million deal – then it’s a four-year, $80-plus million deal.”

Hernández is looking for stability after signing with the Dodgers for one year before the 2024 season. He earned the right to ask for more after hitting a new career high with 33 home runs, winning the Home Run Derby and helping the Dodgers win the World Series.

The Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees expressed interest in Hernández after all four teams lost Soto to the New York Mets.

On Tuesday, President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman discussed Hernández’s status and next steps for both sides.

“It’s hard for me to answer that,” Friedman said. “He had a really good year. He’s put himself in a great position and I know he’s talked about wanting it and I know we’ve talked about him wanting it and him and his family going through and figuring out the interests can do what makes the most sense for them. So while we are hopeful, we have no choice but to wish him well if he ends up signing elsewhere and on a personal level we will be really happy for him, but professionally not so much.”

Hernández has been vocal about his desire to return to Los Angeles, and the Dodgers would welcome him with open arms. However, if he goes elsewhere, the Dodgers will have no concerns about moving.

Photo credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

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