Teoscar Hernández's World Series success with Dodgers has Mariners fans reeling

Teoscar Hernández was always going to leave the Mariners after the 2023 season, but that doesn't make his success with another team any less painful.

By the time the 2023 season wrapped up, Hernández had put up his worst year at the plate since 2019. Perhaps he was hindered by the hitter-unfriendly environment at T-Mobile Park (though he did hit one more home run than he had in 2022 with the Blue Jays), but he ended up with a .258 average and .741 OPS, so the Mariners let him walk in free agency, instead acquiring Mitch Haniger and Luke Raley for the outfield via trade.

Hernández went to the Dodgers for one year and $23.5 million (with some deferrals thrown in, because we're talking about the Dodgers here), and he's become a clubhouse and fan favorite, an All-Star, a Home Run Derby champion, and now a World Series highlight reel for a Dodgers team with a commanding 3-0 lead over the Yankees.

Not only did he hit a go-ahead two-run homer against New York in Game 2, it was his third of the postseason and represented his 10th RBI. This one definitely stings.

Teoscar Hernández dominating with Dodgers in World Series is a tough for Mariners fans

Hernández has never been a great defensive outfielder, and he got a little even worse with the Dodgers this year, but to add insult to injury, his latest heroic was a perfect throw from left field after scooping up a base hit by Anthony Volpe. It was sent on a line straight to Will Smith as the Yankees made the very questionable decision to send Giancarlo Stanton from second to home. Stanton was out easily, and Hernández saved the Dodgers a run with a perfect throw.

Dodgers fans have been yelling at their front office to re-sign Hernández in the offseason, when he's due to hit free agency again. If Dodgers-Juan Soto rumors actually materialize into anything real, then that may not happen, but Hernández has made it clear that his heart is in LA, and that he wants to stay with them far into the future.

Regardless of whether or not they invite him back, Hernández heaping praise upon his current team and being this close to winning the whole thing with them is tough for Mariners fans to cope with, especially when their own team got so achingly close to playing October baseball this year.