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The Los Angeles Dodgers fan favorite Kiké Hernández announced he will be returning to the team for the 2025 season. Although the one-year deal has yet to be made official, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman made the first public remarks about Hernández’s long-awaited return.
Friedman revealed the Dodgers never had a backup plan if the team couldn’t sign the utility man, an indication the Dodgers know what they have in Hernández.
“It wasn’t something for us if we were not able to line up with Kiké, we were going to go, ‘Oh, here’s the next best option.’ Like a lot of times you’re targeting a need, you have the player at the top of your list and then others,” Friedman said, via Dodgers Territory.
“In this case, it was Kiké or nothing.”
The defending champions have welcomed back an October hero in Hernández, but Friedman heaped high praise for the utility man beyond his performance when the lights were brightest.
“As you pointed out, still not official yet but obviously the impact he has made in October on field it was obviou. Off field this past October may have been one of the most impressive displays of leadership I’ve ever seen,” Friedman said. “His connecting with different guys, going out of his way on a number of different fronts, was quite possibly the best leadership I’ve ever seen.”
The leadership from Hernández was evident as several players voiced their desire for the utility man to return this winter.
“I think everyone in L.A. wants Kiké back,” reliever Anthony Banda said to Dodgers Nation’s Noel Sanchez. “He was phenomenal with me. He made a great impact on me as a player, as a friend and it was awesome to see him every single day. He brought such high energy he definitely brightened my days. I know he did that for a lot of people, too.”
Throughout the offseason, multiple reports cited Hernández’s versatility as grounds for the Dodgers to bring him back. However, the Dodgers front office hoped to orchestrate a reunion with Hernández because of his leadership.
Once again, Hernández has shown how multi-faceted a player he truly is, and of course, he does it best in Dodger blue.
Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
