Kiké Hernandez blindsiding Padres with Dodgers deal makes LA even more hated

If Padres fans didn't have enough reasons to hate the Dodgers, Kiké Hernandez just added more fuel the fire. The Friars faithful were hopeful to hear that Hernandez was going to abandon his LA roots on Monday and join the San Diego Padres. Instead, Hernandez pulled a complete 180 and rejoined the Padres' hated NL West Division rival, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

For the past week, all fans throughout baseball had heard is that Hernandez was set to sign with one of four teams. The list included the Padres, Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins, and San Francisco Giants.

Hernandez then decided to self-report his deal on social media by writing, "Sources say...I'm back!!!" It's safe to say that Padres fans probably got a little sick to their stomach upon hearing of Hernandez's return to Los Angeles.

Kiké Hernandez blindsiding Padres (and others) with Dodgers deal makes LA even more hated

Had Hernandez signed with the Padres, it's likely he would've been starting in center field for the Friars. Instead, it looks like he'll attempt to gravy-train a ring with the All-Star-led squad that Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman has assembled in in Los Angeles.

In addition to Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, and Freddie Freeman, the Dodgers have added reigning AL MVP Shohei Ohtani, Japanese superstar Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and former Tampa Bay Rays ace Tyler Glasnow, among others.

With Jurickson Profar now in spring camp, and Jackson Merrill taking to his new position in left field, adding Hernandez wasn't necessarily a need. However, having Hernandez in the middle of the Friars outfield on Opening Day instead of Jose Azocar would have been much more desirable.

The Padres have been searching for an outfielder this offseason, but to date have come up empty handed. Players like Michael A. Taylor and Adam Duvall are still available on the free agent market, and Padres President of Baseball Operations AJ Preller has said the team still has money to spend this offseason.

While it's rather disappointing to see Hernandez re-sign with LA, he only posted a .646 OPS in 140 games last season. Hernandez's deal, however, does signify the Padres still need to add at least one more outfielder this spring. There've been whispers of a possible trade for Boston Red Sox centerfielder Jarren Duran. Perhaps Preller could revisit those talks.