GLENDALE, Ariz. – It was already shaping up to be a busy Thursday at Camelback Ranch. Then it turned into something more — a reminder of exactly who the Dodgers are and how they operate.
First came the Max Muncy extension, another signal that the front office remains committed to rewarding its championship core. Not long after, Kiké Hernández did what Kiké Hernández does best: he stole the spotlight.
“What else did we expect? 3 in a row has a nice ring to it. #WeBack.”
That was the caption on Hernández’s Instagram post announcing his return to the Dodgers on a one-year, $4.5 million deal.
For a player whose value to this franchise can’t be measured solely by box scores, the social media flair felt fitting. The Dodgers are running it back with one of their October heartbeat guys — even if they’ll have to wait a bit to see him on the field.
Hernández, 34, is recovering from elbow surgery and is not expected to be available for the early portion of the season. That reality makes the signing more layered than sentimental.
During the 2025 regular season, Hernández batted .203 with 10 home runs and 35 RBIs in 92 games. On paper, those numbers won’t overwhelm anyone. But October rarely reads the back of a baseball card.
In the postseason, Hernández hit .250 with one home run and seven RBIs as the Dodgers captured their second consecutive World Series title. He once again did what he’s built a reputation on doing: deliver quality at-bats, defend multiple positions and inject energy into every inning.
And let’s not gloss over the historical significance.
On Oct. 24, 2025, Hernández played in his 87th postseason game as a Dodger, becoming the franchise leader in playoff appearances. With 103 career postseason games overall, he ranks eighth all-time in Major League history. He is also just the fourth Puerto Rican-born player to eclipse 100 career postseason appearances, joining Jorge Posada (125), Bernie Williams (121) and Yadier Molina (104).
That’s not a role player. That’s October royalty.
There were legitimate questions this winter about whether we’d seen the last of Hernández in Dodger blue. Age. Surgery. Roster crunch. Luxury tax considerations. All fair.
But the Dodgers clearly weighed what he means in a clubhouse chasing history — and chasing a third straight title — and decided $4.5 million was a small price for institutional memory and postseason insurance.
If the Dodgers get a healthy Hernández by midseason, they won’t just be adding depth. They’ll be adding October credibility.
Of course, roster building is rarely just about sentiment.
While Hernández returns, Anthony Banda departs.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Anthony Banda (43) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays in the seventh inning during game four of the 2025 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium.
As first reported by Dan Hayes of The Athletic, the Dodgers are trading the left-hander to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for international bonus pool space. Banda had been designated for assignment last week, and the move now converts a potential loss into future flexibility.
It’s a practical decision — and a tough one.
Banda was one of the unsung workhorses of the 2025 championship bullpen. He led the Dodgers bullpen with 71 appearances, posted a 5-1 record and a 3.18 ERA, and often took the ball in the most taxing spots of the season. Over two seasons in Los Angeles, he carved out a trusted role and walks away with two World Series rings.
For a pitcher who once bounced around the league, he found stability — and success — in Dodger blue.
But this is how Andrew Friedman’s front office operates. Bullpen pieces are developed, maximized, and, when necessary, cycled out to maintain roster and financial flexibility. Turning Banda into international bonus space may not win a headline today, but it could help secure the next wave of talent tomorrow.
Zoom out, and Thursday offered a snapshot of the Dodgers’ philosophy.
Reward the core. Protect the culture. Maintain long-term flexibility. Keep the championship window wide open.
Re-signing Hernández signals continuity — a commitment to the personality and postseason DNA that has defined this run of three World Series titles in six seasons.
Trading Banda underscores the cold, calculated side of sustained success.
The Dodgers are chasing something rare now. “Three in a row” isn’t just a catchy Instagram caption. It’s the standard inside that clubhouse.
And if they do pull it off? You can safely assume Hernández will have something to say about it.