Ex-Red Sox fan favorite utility player nearly signed with the Yankees in free agency

It sounds like New York nearly landed the former Red Sox utility player.

One former Boston Red Sox player almost signed with the New York Yankees.

Former Red Sox fan favorite Enrique Hernández was looking for his next opportunity and recently found one when he re-signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Hernández joined the Red Sox prior to the 2021 season and remained with the team until being dealt to the Dodgers before the 2023 Major League Baseball Trade Deadline.

The veteran utility guy visited Foul Territory to discuss free agency and claimed that if he hadn’t signed with the Dodgers, the Yankees were the other team in the running for his services.

“Coming off back-to-back down years and having half of the league’s owners being bankrupt wasn’t ideal,” Hernández said in a statement. “There was no communication, then a little conversation, then dead stillness, and things didn’t really pick up until the last three weeks or so.

“In the end, the Detroit Tigers were very interested.” The (Los Angeles Angels) were present, but never made an offer. The (San Francisco Giants) were in the mix, but they waited until the last minute to make an offer and did not do so…Finally, it was a choice between the Dodgers and the Yankees, based only on market size. I chose the Dodgers because they have several left-handed hitters.”

Hernández is a ten-year veteran who has played all over the diamond. He became into a fan favorite in Boston, and it would have been intriguing if he ended up with the club’s main rival.