The Red Sox reportedly plan to pursue this OF if they lose out on Juan Soto

Red stockings

“It could come down to the Sox and the Dodgers.”

The Red Sox are still in the hunt to sign Juan Soto to what could be the largest contract in professional sports history.

But with the Mets, Yankees and Blue Jays all reportedly willing to pony up the same big payout to land the superstar outfielder, it’s far from a guarantee that Soto will call Fenway Park home in 2025 and beyond.

If Boston loses out on Soto in the coming days, how exactly will Craig Breslow and the rest of the Sox front office fare?

According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, The Red Sox “intend to pursue Teoscar Hernandez if they do not sign Juan Soto.” Feinsand added that Boston is “believed to prefer” Hernández to another free-agent slugger in Anthony Santander.

Hernández, who won a World Series in his first season with the Dodgers in 2024, is considered a top candidate to sign with Los Angeles, especially after hitting 33 home runs and driving in 99 runs over 154 games.

However, Peter Abraham of Boston Globe offered some insight into Hernandez’s thought process in free agency, noting that the 32-year-old outfielder is intrigued by calling Fenway Park home for the long haul.

“Teoscar Hernández has told people he would prefer to stay with the Dodgers, but he has long been intrigued by the idea of ​​playing at Fenway Park and is a fan of Alex Cora.” Abraham wrote on X citing several sources. “It could come down to the Sox and the Dodgers.”

Hernandez has regularly praised Fenway Park, even during Los Angeles’ run to a title in October.

“Everything about that field is good,” Hernandez said on the “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast. “And I don’t think it’s just me. I’m not the player saying that about Fenway. The atmosphere over there is really good. The fans love the team. They go to the ballpark. And they support the team. To me, that’s a big thing , when you have a good fan base.

“But it’s been great here (with the Dodgers). Fans love this team. They go everywhere and they support their players. It’s going to be a little tough for me in the next free agency. It’s going to be fun and obviously I’m going to try to hit the best decision for me and my family.”

Hernandez has thrived at Fenway Park over the years. In 45 career games in Boston’s ballpark, Hernandez has slugged 14 home runs, 25 total extra-base hits and driven in 44 runs.

Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.