Kiké Hernández’s signing with the Minnesota Twins is complete.
For the Minnesota Twins, this summer cannot be deemed a success, but at least it hasn’t been a complete bust and isn’t quite over.
The Twins signed Donovan Solano about this time last year, and it turned out to be the best $2 million the franchise ever spent.
It’s possible that the group may take those cues and add Spring Training once more, which might end up being a wise decision in the end.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that Hernandez has four teams on his list of finalists, including the Twins.
Super-utility player Kiké Hernández, a free agent, is reportedly debating four teams, according to those briefed on his conversations.
The Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres, and San Francisco Giants are the finalists, in no specific order, according to Rosenthal.
Hernandez, who seems like the Twins’ greatest player to have never actually played for the team, has reportedly attracted interest from the Twins before.
In particular, Hernández can play both second base and outfield, which helps provide depth in important areas but may also result in some redundancy based on who makes the Opening Day roster.
Willi Castro and Kyle Farmer can already fill utility roles for Minnesota, but Hernández can provide valuable depth behind Matt Wallner and Max Kepler at the corners of the outfield
Hernández’s potential effect is lessened by the expectation that Austin Martin and Brooks Lee will be a part of the future plan, but this shouldn’t be the reason he doesn’t end up in Minnesota.
However, the value of his experienced leadership to a young team aiming for the World Series may outweigh the cost.
The Twins appear to be Hernández’s greatest opportunity to be a member of a competitive team out of all the teams he is a finalist for.
Even with their brilliant pieces, the Padres and Angels are in a strange spot, and the Giants, despite their enormous potential, are still a team that missed the postseason the previous year.
Hernandez is as conventional as it gets when it comes to being a utility player—something the Twins are constantly in need of.
Additionally, he is a right-handed hitter who appeases the team’s apparently never-ending quest to locate that missing piece in the lineup.
However, the Twins might be better off using that cash elsewhere in free agency if there is a bidding war.
