LOS ANGELES — A big bombshell in the middle of the MLB winter season. Moments after the news of the deal hit social media, the Los Angeles Dodgers made all the news when they announced: Kiké Hernández would be returning to the team on a multi-year, $90 million deal that was described as “a strategic commitment to the long-term future of the organization.”
The announcement was a blip in the blue sky as many believed Hernández was considering leaving LA for a bigger role in other heroes. But instead of leaving, he chose to stay — chose Dodger Blue — chose a place he calls “family.”
Hernández’s rebirth is not only valuable, but also in the present. When the transfer market was exploding, the Dodgers quietly judged and surprised early, leaving many competing teams “bitter fruit.”
An inside source revealed:
“No guy wants to lose Hernández because he’s more than just a player. He’s the culture, he’s the energy, he’s the heart of the locker room.”
And the Dodgers know that better than anyone.
Kiké Hernández has long been one of the most beloved figures in Los Angeles. Not only his ability to play multiple positions, his unexpected home runs, or his fiery style of play, but also his domain in the most crucial moments.
NLCS 2020 – three historic home runs.
The subsequent hits in the World Series.
The incredible defensive curtains that made Dodger Stadium bomb.
Fans have repeatedly called him “Mr. Oct 2.0” – someone who can change a game with a flick of the pen or a diving catch.
The Dodgers and Hernández have reportedly been working on a trade for weeks. The $90 million deal, which includes a variety of account activities — from postseason bonuses to player options — for the organization, has been found and is a key component of the deadline plan.
A Dodgers executive shared:
“You can’t value a player like Kiké by numbers alone. What he brings to the table is much bigger than that.”
Meanwhile, Hernández — who left LA and then returned — put it simply and emotionally:
“The Dodgers are my home. I want to finish my career here. I want to bring more Cups to this city.”
Teammates and fans alike reacted strongly to the good news.
Mookie Betts is credited with providing Hernández with the job, calling him “the ender of the team.”
Clayton Kershaw once said:
“Kiké is more than just a great player. He makes the team better.”
The deal also shows the Dodgers are leading the charge internally, not just on superstars.
Strategic implications: Dodgers want to win with character, not just wallets
While Los Angeles is known for spending big on talent, Hernández’s decision to sign long-term suggests a more sustainable approach: keeping players with Dodgers DNA who know how to win when the pressure is on.
Hernández is the type of player you want in Game 7 – and the Dodgers know they’re keeping a true warrior target.
The $90 million deal is more than just a signature. It was a statement:
The Dodgers trust Kiké Hernández. Kiké Hernández chose to stay with the Dodgers.
And with this status, the full-ball King seemed to send a powerful message to the rest of the league:
“We’re not just building a roster — we’re building a product.”
Dodger Stadium is ready. 2026 could be Kiké’s year — and Los Angeles’s.
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