"It just wasn't Freddie Freeman, Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts" - Ex-Yankees coach claims Dodgers might've lost World Series without $66,000,000 star

It's no secret that the Los Angeles Dodgers are the most stacked team in the majors at the moment. After the acquisition of two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani, they were the odds-on favorites to win the 2024 World Series, which they eventually lived up to.

In The Mayor's Office podcast, former New York Yankees coach Sean Casey and Rich Ciancimino discussed the impact made by a less-touted member of the Dodger squad.

The duo shared that outfielder and two-time All-Star Teoscar Hernandez, who signed a reported three-year, $66 million contract last month, was a vital cog in the team's success.

"It just wasn't Freddie Freeman, Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts," said Casey. (6:50-6:56). They might not have won the whole thing if Hernandez wasn't in the lineup."

Despite being surrounded by names like Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman in the clubhouse, Hernandez stepped up for the Dodgers both in the regular season and the playoffs.

"(Teoscar Hernandez) did some special things in the playoffs. People might forget this due to Freddie Freeman's big hit, and the Dodgers had some big moments," Ciancimino said. (5:44-5:54)

For his heroics and consistent play, Teoscar Hernandez was brought back by the front office on a long-term deal.

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Teoscar Hernandez signs three-year, $66 million deal with Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers and outfielder Teoscar Hernandez agreed a three-year, $66 million contract in December. The outfielder was an important piece in the Dodgers' journey to title glory last season.

Casey and Ciancimino discussed the re-signing of the outfielder.

"(Hernandez) drove in close to 100 runs. He hit a couple of big home runs. He also recorded a hit that propelled the team's comeback in Game 5 of the World Series. When you look back and look at LA's season, they might have not won the World Series if not for Teoscar Hernandez. (6:55-7:12)

Teoscar Hernandez indeed had a season to remember. He recorded a slash line of .272/.339/.501 with 33 home runs (career-high) and 99 runs batted in.

The outfielder provided the necessary firepower at the bottom of LA's lineup. In Game 5 of the Fall Classic against the New York Yankees, Hernandez sparked the rally with a two-run double that led to the team's World Series victory.