The Red Sox Monday reportedly reached agreement with Kiké Hernandez on a new one-year contract for the 2023 season, according to ESPN.
Hernandez, 31, who was to be eligible for free agency after this season, agreed to a $10 million deal. That represents a modest raise from his current salary. Hernandez originally agreed to a two-year, $14 million contract after the 2020 season.
Hernandez had a strong first season in Boston in 2021, becoming the team's everyday center fielder and leadoff hitter after initially being signed as a super utility player who could contribute at both infield and outfield positions. He hit .250/.337/.449 with 20 homers and 60 RBI.
He was also the Red Sox' top performer in their 2021 postseason run, slashing .408/.423/.837 with four doubles, five homers and nine RBI and nine runs scored in 11 games as the Sox got to within two games of the World Series.
This season, Hernandez has under-performed. Before Monday's game against the Rays, Hernandez was batting .222/.287/.359 with just six homers and 37 RBI in 67 games. He missed more than two months -- initially with a hip injury, before subsequently being diagnosed with a sizable hematoma in his core that required draining.
Since returning from the IL in mid-August, he's hit .273/.339/.436 with two homers and 13 RBI in 16 games -- production more in line with his 2021 season.
BSJ ANALYSIS
Bringing back Hernandez solves one potential vacancy for next year -- Hernandez is now under control through the end of next season, presumably as the team's center fielder, and perhaps in time, their leadoff hitter, too.
The team's outfield had been a blank canvas for 2023, with only Alex Verdugo under control and slated for full-time duty. With Verdugo filling one corner outfield spot and Hernandez in center, the Sox will have just one full-time spot to fill.
The Sox could have a platoon involving Rob Refsnyder, who has hit lefties extremely well (.385/.445/.596), but probably doesn't profile as an everyday player.
Before the agreement with Hernandez, the Red Sox had approximately $93 million in contractual commitments for 2023 -- not counting several high-profile arbitration-eligible players, including Rafael Devers, leaving them with well over $100 million to spend before they approach the first CBT threshold.
There are, of course, bigger names on the roster also eligible for free agency, including J.D. Martinez, Nathan Eovaldi, Michael Wacha, and Matt Strahm. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts is widely expected to opt out of his current contract and enter the free agent market.