Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes just dropped some seriously non-committal vibes about veteran Kiké Hernández’s free agency, and honestly, it sounds like his time in LA might be ticking down. Hernández is hitting the open market yet again after this past season, but this isn’t like before. This time, his return isn’t looking like a sure thing.
Gomes’ Vague Words Signal Uncertainty
During the recent MLB General Managers’ meetings, Gomes was grilled about Hernández as we count down to the lockout. And his response? Pretty telling. “I think Kiké’s been such a huge part of what we’ve done in the past and we’ll continue to have those conversations, but what that looks like right now, I don’t know,” Gomes said. Oof. That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement, is it? It’s not a slammed door, sure, the line of communication is still open, and a reunion could happen. But that “I don’t know” hangs heavy. It sounds like the Dodgers are weighing their options, maybe even eyeing some fresh faces for that batting order.
Injury Woes and a Tough Season for Hernández
Remember last year, when Hernández and the Dodgers did that whole “song and dance” thing before he eventually re-signed for a one-year, $5 million deal? Well, even after that, it was a rough ride. He came into 2026 recovering from elbow surgery, which put him on the injured list until May. He barely got back on the field before BAM, another injury, this time an abdominal tear. That knocked him out for a “handful of months” before he finally returned for the very end of the season and the postseason push.
His regular season numbers weren’t exactly screaming “must-re-sign,” either. In just 41 games, he hit a paltry .222 with a .271 on-base percentage and a .400 slugging. We’re talking four home runs, 12 RBIs, 28 strikeouts, and just six walks. And the postseason? Aside from one big blast in the NLDS, he went a dismal 1-for-14 with no walks and three strikeouts. You gotta ask, at 35 years old, with elbow issues haunting him for two straight years and now an abdominal tear, is it really possible for things to get better? His injury record has become genuinely alarming.
Paving the Way for New Blood
The feeling around the Dodgers was that they looked like an “old squad” this year. They could seriously use some “new blood,” some fresh energy in the lineup. If they want to start paving the way for younger position players to step up and make their mark, letting Hernández walk could be a totally reasonable move. It’s a tough business, but sometimes you have to make those hard calls to build for the future.
It’s going to be wild watching how this plays out for the Dodgers as they look to reshape their roster. Free agency is just heating up, and you can bet there are big moves coming for teams looking to get younger and healthier.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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