Three potential landing spots for Mariners OF Teoscar Hernandez

After witnessing Teoscar Hernández's dominance in the 2022 American League wild card series firsthand, the Seattle Mariners made waves in the offseason by trading for the former Blue Jays outfielder.

While it was an exciting acquisition at the time, Hernández's production hasn't met expectations since arriving in Seattle. The 30-year-old is slashing .238/.288/.408 this season, all well below his career averages, to go along with 16 home runs and 58 RBI. 

During a recent appearance on MLB Network Radio, Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto didn't shoot down the possibility of trading Hernández as he is considering ways to improve the 2024 roster. 

Additionally, USA Today's Bob Nightengale has since reported that Seattle has notified teams that Hernández is among several players on the major league roster available ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline. 

Here are three teams that the 2021 All-Star, who is set to be a free agent after the season, could fit with if Seattle decides to deal him: 

Philadelphia Phillies 

If it weren't for shortstop Trea Turner and his $300M contract, left fielder Kyle Schwarber would be in contention as Philadelphia's biggest disappointment this season. While he's never been one to have the most attractive batting average, Schwarber compensated with power, and just last season, he hit a National League-leading 46 home runs. 

However, Schwarber's OPS+ dipped from 131 in 2022 to a pedestrian 105 this season, just above the major league average, while hitting just .183 with 27 homers and 65 RBI. Hernández might not be a Gold Glove-caliber outfielder, but his five defensive runs saved this season are significantly better than Schwarber's -18. 

Nevertheless, Schwarber isn't the only outfielder having difficulty since it appears that the left-field position is simply a gaping hole for the defending National League champions. Phillies left fielders have combined for -1.3 bWAR this season, which is the fourth-worst at the position among teams. 

With Bryce Harper starting to play first base, Schwarber could slide into the full-time DH role for Philadelphia if the club acquires Hernández.

New York Yankees

Reigning MVP Aaron Judge might be back in the lineup, but even his return may not be enough to propel the Yankees into a playoff spot, let alone to ring 28.

Despite the glaring flaws in their roster, the Yankees, sitting in last place in the American League East, won't be sellers like the crosstown Mets before the deadline. Whether that's the best course of action is up for debate, but ultimately there aren't many bats on the market worth raving about, so taking a flier on Hernández could be worth exploring.

Although a third baseman is arguably New York's most pressing need, it would benefit from adding another outfielder and some offensive firepower, as it owns the eighth-worst team OPS (.707). 

Perhaps Yankee Stadium's smaller dimensions can turn Hernández into a bounce-back candidate capable of providing the Bronx Bombers' lineup with the power surge needed to clinch a wild-card berth.  

Toronto Blue Jays 

Just as the Dodgers did last week with their trade for Enrique Hernández, the Blue Jays may want to explore bringing back a longtime clubhouse favorite for the stretch run. Since the All-Star break, Toronto is a modest 9-6 and ranks 18th among MLB teams in extra-base hits (46) over that span.

Toronto (59-47) will need to continue to buy before the deadline, as it holds a 2.5-game lead over Boston for the final wild-card spot. And a return to the Rogers Centre could be instrumental to Hernández finding his groove since he hit 15 of last season's 25 home runs there. 

If Hernández is brought in, Toronto would have a strong DH platoon with a resurgent Brandon Belt (118 OPS+) handling right-handed pitching. Plus, with right fielder George Springer in the midst of his worst season since his rookie year, Hernández's acquisition could give the 2017 World Series champion some breathers to get his mind right for the postseason.