Kiké Hernández suggests teams colluded 'with a capital C' in free agency

Kiké Hernández wouldn't say it outright, but the veteran utility player suggested teams colluded in free agency this offseason.

"I'm not going to say the C-word, but I think the C-word needs to be with a capital C," Hernández said Thursday on "Foul Territory."

The 32-year-old said "the timing of the calls were very similar," the offers from teams were "pretty much the same throughout," and the "silence period was kind of around the same time."

Hernández also mentioned that teams use computer programs that project the future performance of players, which leads to players receiving similar offers.

"I think the teams that use these computer programs to project salaries and project numbers, they're all using the same one, and I think they all have the same password," Hernández said.

The 10-year veteran, who drew interest from multiple teams this offseason before agreeing to a one-year, $4-million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, added that these programs don't take factors like health into account. However, Hernández said L.A. looked at more than just the computer projections when the team signed him.

"We know what he can do when he's healthy, and we're going to bet on the player," said Hernández of the Dodgers' mindset.

Hernández struggled to the tune of a .222/.279/.320 slash line with some of the worst defensive numbers of his career during 86 games with the Boston Red Sox last season.

He performed much better with Los Angeles following a July trade, posting an OPS 132 points higher while lowering his strikeout rate and improving his on-base and slugging percentage.