Teosscar Hernández Contract Details: Base Salary & Deferrals Breakdown

When factoring in the option, Hernández can earn a total of $81 million under the contract. At minimum he’ll receive $72.5 million even if the Dodgers end Hernández’s contract after the three years by paying the buyout amount.

However, the present value of the deal will check in at less than the total amount due to the deferrals, so Hernandez’s average annual value counting against the luxury tax will be lower than the $22 million dollar value if it did not include deferrals.

Hernández said he passed on more money to re-sign with the Dodgers, passing up on around $5 to $6 million more from other teams.

“For me, money wasn’t an issue,” he said. “I could’ve waited for more offers from other teams, but the money wasn’t going to be the difference.”

Between his two Dodgers contracts, Hernández is now owed a total of $32 million in deferred salary. From his one-year, $23.5 million deal for the 2024 season, $8.5 million was deferred and due payable in $850,000 installments every July 1 from 2030-2039.

The 32-year-old is coming off a season in which he hit .272/.339/.501 with 32 doubles, 33 home runs, 99 RBI, 12 stolen bases and a 134 wRC+ en route to winning a third Silver Slugger Award and second selection to the All-MLB Team.

Fans played part in Teoscar Hernández re-signing with Dodgers

Hernández reflected on his 2024 season and highlighted the unwavering support he received from Dodgers fans, which influenced his free agency decision.

“A huge part,” he answered when asked if the support from fans convinced him to stay in L.A. “When you have a fanbase like the Dodgers fanbase rooting for you, thinking about you, wanting you to come back and play for this wonderful organization, it means a lot. That played a key part in my decision to sign back with the Dodgers.”