Yankees Tried to Sign Another Dodgers Free Agent Along With Kiké Hernández

Before the Los Angeles Dodgers brought back fan-favorite Kiké Hernández,  Hernández almost signed with the New York Yankees. The Yankees had wanted to sign Hernández, though Hernández still preferred to come back to the Dodgers.

Hernández and the Dodgers were of course finally able to make it happen once the Dodgers traded Manuel Margot to the Minnesota Twins.

However, Hernández wasn't the only Dodger the Yankees had interest in. The Yankees were also interested in shortstop Amed Rosario according to The New York Post's Joel Sherman.

"The Yankees were told from the outset that Hernandez’s preference was to return to the Dodgers and that he was willing to wait and see if Los Angeles could trade Manuel Margot (which it did, to Minnesota) to open the roster spot/dollars for him to sign (which he did for $4 million). The Yankees, I am told, had the same $4 million on the table for Rosario, who instead took a $1.5 million base from the Rays."

Per Joel Sherman of The New York Post

Rosario only spent the second half of the 2023 season with the Dodgers after he was traded from the Cleveland Guardians. In 48 games with the Dodgers, Rosario hit .256 with three home runs and eighteen RBIs. 

The Yankees even offered Rosario the same amount as they did Hernández, a $4 million deal for one year. Instead, Rosario opted to sign with the Tampa Bay Rays for less money, signing for $1.5 million for one year with the Rays.

Like Hernández, the primary reason Rosario turned down the deal with the Yankees was to play for a team where he would see more time on the field.