The Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series almost unchallenged by the New York Yankees. Their victory lap afterward comprised mostly of them making fun of the Yankees. Whether it’s Max Muncy saying the energy of Yankee Stadium felt weird or Joe Kelly saying the Yankees were at best the eighth or ninth-best playoff team. They didn’t name names when talking about the New York Yankees, but Michael Kopech didn’t mince words, he sure did name names.

Kopech dragged Anthony Rizzo into the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast. He mentioned that Rizzo, because of his mound visits, became a running joke in the Dodgers bullpen. “We had a running joke in the bullpen of ‘Rizzo visits remaining.’ It was like, every time there was a mound visit, it was Rizzo,” said Kopech. It seems like the Dodgers are rubbing salt all over the Yankees’ wounds. But can’t the richest and strongest team in all of MLB make a comeback? Well, it seems like they are just about thinking the same. It might be time for the Yankees to smirk and laugh this time around!

New York Yankees might get the last laugh on Dodgers 

So it’s no secret that the Los Angeles Dodgers want Teoscar Hernandez. He has been a key figure in the World Series lineup, and they want him back. He proved himself as someone with a powerful bat and a good outfielder. But here is the thing—the slugger has caught the interest of many others just for those qualities. As reported by Chris Cotillo, the Yankees and Red Sox are interested too.

Plus, for the New York Yankees, it makes so much sense because it’s like killing two birds with one stone. First, if Soto slips away, they get Teoscar Hernandez, who is no Soto and is awesome in his own right. And second, the Yankees get to avenge all the unsolicited jokes that the Dodgers have targeted at them by taking away their star player.

Right now Teoscar Hernandez’s off-season market is in a holding pattern because everyone is waiting for Soto’s decision. Once the 26-year-old chooses, then Hernandez surely is the next big ticket. He brings power and playoff experience, something the Yankees need. Plus, imagine him patrolling the outfield in pinstripes. Sounds like a win for the New York Yankees and a huge blow for the Dodgers.

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How much will Teoscar Hernandez command in free agency?

If you are wondering why Teoscar Hernandez is such a commodity in this off-season, the answer is his consistency and his affordability. Sure, he won’t command Juan Soto’s historic paycheck, but he still has immense value. So while not $700 million, Teoscar Hernandez is expected to get a $75 million price tag, as Jim Bowden of The Athletic reports. For the teams needing power without breaking the bank, he is an ideal solution.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are very well aware of this. After their stellar season and with Teoscar Hernandez earning his second all-star nod, he is extremely valuable to any lineup. Now the Dodgers already have some crème de la crème players in Max Muncy, Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts. Some of them have big contracts, so signing Hernandez a stellar player at an affordable rate is a no-brainer for the team. The deal might not have panned out yet not because they don’t want it but because Teoscar Hernandez himself might be waiting it out a bit. He might want Soto’s deal to be done so that better offers come his way.

Hernandez’s next move sure could set its own ripple effect in the free agency. So what do you think will happen? Let us know in the comments!