The Los Angeles Dodgers have continued to make their team scary heading into the new season. After locking up pitchers Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto earlier during the off-season, as well as the trade acquisition of Tyler Glasnow from the Tampa Bay Rays in a monster trade deal, they have now locked up outfielder Teoscar Hernandez. It’s a one-year contract worth $23.5 million, some of which will be deferred.

31-year-old Hernandez was traded from the Toronto Blue Jays to the Seattle Mariners before the start of last season. The Blue Jays attempted to bolster their bullpen with the return in that deal. Hernandez, meanwhile, exploded offensively again. In 625 at-bats with the Mariners last season, Hernandez hit 26 home runs and added 93 runs batted in while hitting at a .258 batting average.

The Dodgers now add to their star-studded roster with the signing of Hernandez. On top of this, Hernandez has agreed to defer $8.5 million to be paid out from 2030 to 2039 according to Jeff Passan. Hernandez also reportedly has turned down several multi-year offers to sign short-term with the Dodgers and go all-in for a World Series.

Hernandez Had Plenty of Options, Chose Dodgers Over Others

Rather than choosing to sign with a team like the Boston Red Sox or Los Angeles Angels as he was rumored to be considering doing, he went to the strongest team in the league. At 31 years old, he seemingly has plenty left to prove and will surely be a huge part of the Dodgers’ success this season.

The Dodgers have built themselves up to be one of, if not the best team in baseball history on paper. They have no excuse to lose this season and should be considered the heavy favorites for this season’s World Series.

Next: Outfielder Teoscar Hernandez Gets Interest From Red Sox, Angels