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, a source told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
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.
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.
Hernandez may be the first of several moves for the Red Sox, as the team is also engaged in active discussions with free-agent right-hander Garrett Richards, sources told Jon Morosi of MLB.com.
