Teoscar Hernández is inarguably the second best outfielder on the free agent market behind Juan Soto.

The Dodgers basically have Hernández in the palm of their hand, but they do run the risk of squandering a perfect opportunity if they wait too long to re-sign him.

Hernández already has a vast market that includes the Red Sox and Orioles, the former of whom should be willing to up whatever offer they made to him last year, due to his success in the 2024 season. Searching for the way to tempt him away from the Dodgers?

That’s how you do it.

Given how fervently and publicly Hernández has expressed his interest in staying in LA, any other interested team has an uphill battle to fight if they want to tempt him away, but the capital the Red Sox and even the Orioles, now under new management, have shouldn’t be underestimated.

A new big spender has also reportedly entered the fray for Hernández, too, one who Dodgers fans would be completely loathe to see him to go. According to Jeff Passan, the Yankees are looking at Hernández as a potential backup if their efforts to re-sign Juan Soto fall short.

Dodgers must sign Teoscar Hernández before Yankees join Red Sox, Orioles as suitors

Brandon Gomes said at Winter Meetings that the Dodgers front office would be engaging in talks with Hernández’s camp, and let’s not forget that a qualifying offer from the Dodgers is still on the table, even though signs point to Hernández not taking it and working out a new deal instead.

It’s very possible that the Dodgers are already working things out behind the scenes, but when you’re an anxious fan who’s seeing reports about Hernández’s expanding market, it’s hard not to wonder what’s taking so long.

With Mookie Betts returning to the infield, both of the outfield corners are now open, and there is no excuse for the Dodgers not to be aggressive about re-signing Hernández. The Dodgers are still the heavy favorites to sign him, but again, it’s hard not to worry about encroaching teams.

We’ve already extolled Hernández’s virtues a lot throughout the season and into the offseason, and all of the awards that have been rolling in since the World Series wrapped up (Silver Slugger, All-MLB second team) speak for him. Tick tock, Dodgers. Hernández seems like he’ll wait around a good while, but he can’t and won’t wait forever.