The Boston Red Sox could use another right-handed slugger in the middle of the lineup.

Two-time All-Star Justin Turner filled the club’s designated hitter spot in 2023 but no longer is with the club. Turner signed a deal with the Toronto Blue Jays this offseason in free agency.

Boston has been linked to a handful of other right-handed sluggers but hasn’t been able to get a deal done yet and keeps missing out. One player who popped up as an option for the Red Sox on numerous occasions was former Houston Astros, Blue Jays, and Seattle Mariners slugger Teoscar Hernández.

At one point, it seemed like a move was likely. But, the Los Angeles Dodgers ended up landing the one-time All-Star.

It sounds like the Red Sox were close and even were a finalist to sign Hernández, but weren’t able to come to terms the slugger said on the Flippin’ Bats Podcast

“At the end, it was Boston and the Dodgers,” Hernández said on the Flippin’ Bats Podcast. “We were trying to get more years in Boston. The only years that they offered was two. Like I said, the best opportunity and the best chance that I have to get a good deal was the Dodgers.”

Hernández certainly could’ve helped Boston. He launched 26 home runs last season and drove in 93 runs in 160 games played with the Mariners. Boston has made it known that if it adds someone, they want defensive flexibility. Hernández could’ve helped in the middle of the lineup and also defensively in the outfield.