For the second winter in a row, the Red Sox are reportedly going to enter into the free-agency sweepstakes for Teoscar Hernandez.

According to ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez, the Red Sox could make a push to sign Hernandez this offseason once he hits the open market — even though Gonzalez stressed that the slugging outfielder “wants to be a Dodger” after winning a World Series title in Los Angeles in 2024.

However, the 32-year-old Hernandez is also looking for security with his new contract, something that the Red Sox might be willing to offer as they look for more pop from the right side of the plate.

“(The Red Sox) were the most aggressive after him last offseason, presenting a two-year offer,” Gonzalez wrote Monday on ESPN. “Perhaps they kick in the extra year or two and get it done. Hernández wants a bigger deal, but he also wants to win.”

Gonzalez’s musings follow a similar script as last offseason, where Boston reportedly tried to add Hernandez as a power bat in the heart of their lineup. Despite the Red Sox’ reported interest, Hernandez ended up signing with the Dodgers on a one-year, $23.5 million contract.

Speaking to WEEI’s Rob Bradford in July 2024, Hernandez acknowledged that the Red Sox pursued him last offseason, but the team’s final offer was a two-year, $28 million contract.

“Obviously, I was not gonna go and spend my free agency trying to get a bad deal,” Hernandez told Bradford when asked if he would have accepted a multi-year deal from Boston. “Because at the end of the day, I love the Red Sox. The Red Sox was one of my favorite teams. And I love playing in (Fenway Park). But at the end of the day, I have to make what is best for me and my career and my family.

“Honestly at the end, I thought they were gonna make it. But unfortunately, they said they have to wait because they have to make some move and all that stuff. I couldn’t wait any longer.”

Hernandez made the most of his one season in Los Angeles, batting .272 with 33 home runs and 99 RBI over 154 games. He drove in 13 runs over the Dodgers’ 16 postseason games en route to a title.

Even in the midst of the Dodgers’ run to another championship, Hernandez spoke highly of Fenway Park in another interview with Bradford last month.

“Everything about that field is good,” Hernandez said on the “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast. “And I don’t think it’s only me. I’m not the player who is 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. For 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 hard for me in the next free agency. It’s going to be fun, and obviously, I’m going to try and make the best decision for me and my family.”

Beyond Boston’s need for a right-handed power bat in 2024 and beyond, Hernandez has teed off at Fenway Park over the years.

In 45 career games at Fenway, Hernandez has slugged 14 home runs, 25 total extra-base hits, and drove in 44 runs.