Sources: Hernandez, Red Sox reach extension

Heart fielder Enrique Hernández and the Boston Crimson Sox agreed on a one-year, $10 million contract extension Monday, preserving the 31-year-old within the metropolis the place he starred within the 2021 postseason, sources advised ESPN.

A hip-flexor harm sidelined Hernández for greater than two months this season and contributed to his struggles on the sphere after his profession yr in 2021. Hernández is batting .219 with a .637 OPS and has solely six residence runs in additional than 300 plate appearances within the last season of a two-year, $14 million contract.

Hernández was because of hit free company this winter and was coming off a season during which he hit .250/.337/.449, performed elite protection in heart subject and compiled 4.9 Baseball-Reference wins above alternative (and 4.1 from FanGraphs).

Within the Crimson Sox’s run to the cusp of the World Sequence final yr, Hernández was the workforce’s finest participant. Within the American League Division Sequence towards Tampa Bay, he batted .450 and slugged .900 with two residence runs. He practically equaled these numbers within the AL Championship Sequence, hitting .385/.407/.846 with three solo homers.

Initially projected to be a superutility participant, Hernández emerged as a defensive stalwart in heart subject for Boston, although that hasn’t stopped the Crimson Sox from additionally utilizing him at shortstop and second base this season. The suitable-handed-hitting Hernandez additionally performed first and third base and each corner-outfield spots in Los Angeles, the place he spent six seasons with the Dodgers.

Hernández, who was drafted within the sixth spherical by Houston in 2009 out of his native Puerto Rico, was set to be one in every of a slew of free brokers for the Crimson Sox, who’re anticipated to have one of many busiest offseasons in baseball. At present in final place within the AL East at 67-69, Boston faces a winter during which star shortstop Xander Bogaerts is predicted to decide out of his contract and starters Nathan Eovaldi, Michael Wacha and Wealthy Hill, plus reliever Matt Strahm, shall be free brokers.

The Crimson Sox could have lower than $60 million dedicated to their 2023 payroll if Bogaerts opts out. Additionally they might look to increase 25-year-old All-Star third baseman Rafael Devers, who is about to hit free company following the 2023 season.