Sometimes Thanksgiving week brings you turkey and family cheer and sometimes it brings you the Josh Donaldson trade. Every year a surprise! My Aunt Bertha and Uncle Perv just rolled in — and I mean the former quite literally — and Cindi is busy baking her new Eggplant Permigiana, which is when you show off your new perm while mixing eggs and plants in a … shall we say ‘interesting’ … way.

Anyhoo, let’s take a look at the up, down, and all-around season for Darell Hernaiz on this penultimate day to give thanks.

How Was He Acquired?

Hernaiz was acquired prior to the 2023 season in a classically good “sell high” move. The A’s had gotten 2 surprisingly solid seasons from lefty Cole Irvin, who had come to Oakland after pitching terribly for the Phillies. The A’s dealt Irvin to the Baltimore Orioles where he promptly returned to being a pumpkin and recently just completed a mediocre season in the KBO.

Hernaiz was considered to be a promising prospect but he was buried on the Orioles’ SS depth chart when the A’s acquired him at age 20 and assigned him to AA for his age 21 season.

Always young for his leagues, Hernaiz put up some solid minor league numbers and debuted with the A’s in 2024.

What Were The Expectations?

Hernaiz was never a premier prospect, but he did thrive at AA Midland in 2023, batting a robust .338/.393/.486, 132 wRC+, and he was always considered to be a true SS. So hopes grew that maybe he was a steal, and until the A’s drafted Jacob Wilson SS was wide open.

On the flip side, Hernaiz’ cup of coffee in 2024 with the big league club yielded but a .192/.261/.242, 50 wRC+ line, tempering enthusiasm as he struggled to make hard contact (his 85 MPH average EV was among the league’s lowest) and produced a frightening low .050 ISO.

2025 Results

Hernaiz’ 2025 season of 51 games was decidedly a mixed bag. He started out surprisingly strong, showing his excellent eye and plate discipline to draw walks and avoid strikeouts and knocking hits to all fields. Meanwhile he played an excellent SS and it looked like perhaps he could lay claim to be a legitimate starter.

But then he slumped hard and his stints at 2B and 3B were less than inspiring defensively. A truth emerged as huge platoon splits developed over time suggesting that Hernaiz can handle LHP but is another Nick Allen against RHP.

Hernaiz’ final season stats looked like this:

vs. LHP: .250/.357/.375, 107 wRC+

vs. RHP: .224/.266/.280, 48 wRC+

His 8.6% BB rate was good and his 12.2% K rate was superb. But he is looking like a solid utility INF and weak side platoon bat more than he is profiling to be an every day starter anywhere on the diamond. That being said he’s still only 24 so it’s not inconceivable he could figure something out against RHP and kick it up a notch or two.

There are many possible outcomes for Hernaiz’ role in 2026. With 2B currently wide open he could possibly complete for the job either full time or as a platoon player. He could augment 4 other regular infielders as the utility infielder ready to step in at 2B, SS, or 3B. He could become a depth piece at AAA trying to figure out how to retool his swing to make harder contact and drive the ball more. He could be trade bait as the A’s try to improve their rotation and bullpen for 2026.

Which one of these (or another option) do you favor? Finally, I leave you with a Thanksgiving riddle: What did the clumsy turkey do as he walked down the concourse at the baseball game? Answer: Tripped a fan.