{"id":569699,"date":"2026-02-13T07:03:19","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T07:03:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/569699\/"},"modified":"2026-02-13T07:03:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T07:03:19","slug":"two-important-dodgers-back-in-the-fold","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/569699\/","title":{"rendered":"Two Important Dodgers back in the fold."},"content":{"rendered":"

The Los Angeles Dodgers open Spring Training tomorrow. They look like they finalized their roster today. They signed third baseman Max Muncy<\/a> to a two-year extension worth $ 17 million with the club option. and signed super-utility master Kik\u00e9 Hernandez to a one-year deal worth $ 4.5 million, according to The Athletic\u2019s Fabian Ardaya and Katie Woo. No roster moves were required because reliever Evan Philips was transferred<\/a> to the 60-day Injured List.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The extension is worth $10 million guaranteed. https:\/\/t.co\/WzIecmNgGx<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) February 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Foregone Conclusion<\/p>\n

The Dodgers and Kik\u00e9 Hern\u00e1ndez<\/a> had mutual interest in a reunion since the season ended last year. The only question was when it would occur. Hernandez had a frustrating regular season in 2025. His batting average was 20 points lower than normal, and then he injured<\/a> his elbow at the end of May, which led him to an extended stay on the I.L. At one point, Hernandez admitted that he didn\u2019t know if he would be able to play the rest of the year. However, he did come back, and the Dodgers are thankful he did.<\/p>\n

Postseason Heroics<\/p>\n

Hernandez is Clark Kent during the regular season. He has publicly said he gets bored with the long stretches of baseball. \u00a0By contrast, when the calendar turns to October, Hernandez turns into Superman. He hits above a .350 average in postseason play<\/a>, which is near the top for a right-handed hitter in the history of baseball. He had a pivotal run-scoring double to spark a game-winning comeback against the Philadelphia Phillies in the Division Series. Hernandez also made a Series-saving catch in the Fall Classic to force a Game Seven. He thrives under the brightest lights.<\/p>\n

Incidentally, the elbow injury did require surgery, and it is doubtful Hernandez will be ready for Spring Training.<\/p>\n

The Underrated Star<\/p>\n

Max Muncy<\/a> doesn\u2019t get as many headlines as Shohei Ohtani<\/a>, Mookie Betts<\/a>, or Freddie Freeman<\/a>, but his contributions as a Dodger have been instrumental in the team\u2019s recent success. He has the ability to carry the team offensively<\/a> when he is hot. Muncy did this well last season until he was sidelined with a knee injury. His awareness of the strike zone makes opposing pitchers elevate their pitch count and increase the likelihood of mistakes. The two-year extension probably means that he will retire in a Los Angeles uniform, and he has stated that nothing would make him happier. Once a cast-off of the Oakland A\u2019s, Muncy has a chance to be one of only three Dodgers to have 300 home runs. Now, the longest tenured player in a Los Angeles uniform has 209 dingers. One of the biggest of his career was an eighth-inning solo blast in Game Seven of the World Series. Without that swing, it is unlikely the Dodgerswould complete the comeback.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to terms with IF Max Muncy on a one-year contract extension for $10 million guaranteed, which includes a $7 million salary for the 2027 season and a $10 million club option for 2028.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Reliable Reliever has a New Team<\/p>\n

The Dodgers traded l<\/a>eft-handed relief pitcher Anthony Banda<\/a> to the Minnesota Twins for $500,000 international bonus pool money. Banda had an Earned Run Average of 3.18 in 71 appearances for the Dodgers in 2025. This is the left-hander\u2019s ninth team in his career. The Dodgers are replenishing their coffers after signing Kyle Tucker<\/a> and Edwin Diaz<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Now, with the transactions complete, the games can begin in earnest.<\/p>\n

(Top Image Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

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