Shortly after negotiating his way out of free-agent limbo and securing a new contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Kiké Hernández turned to his wife, Mariana, for assistance in exploring another housing option. She reached out to former Dodger Rich Hill’s wife, Caitlin, to inquire about the possibility of the Hernández family residing in the Hills’ Toluca Lake home once again.
The Hills had purchased the property in the Toluca Lake neighborhood in 2017, after Rich signed a lucrative contract. Despite Hill’s departure from the team in 2019, the family chose to keep the house, which has become a popular choice among Dodgers players. Austin Barnes lived there for a season, and even manager Dave Roberts expressed interest in its availability.
When Hernández rejoined the team at the trade deadline last year, he moved into the house, which is conveniently located just a 20-minute drive from Dodger Stadium with easy access to three different highways. Hill emphasized that the location was a major draw for players.
Finding suitable housing can be a challenge for baseball players due to their nomadic lifestyle and the seasonal nature of their job. Players often rely on recommendations and connections within the baseball community to secure living arrangements, leading to a unique housing market every winter where players buy, sell, and trade homes amongst themselves.
Some players, like Toronto Blue Jays’ Justin Turner and New York Yankees’ Caleb Ferguson, have faced challenges finding housing due to unexpected trades or delayed signings. The length of the baseball season, which lasts about six months, often complicates renting arrangements as leases typically require a longer commitment.
Despite the challenges, players like DJ LeMahieu have found ways to navigate the housing market with the help of their spouses. LeMahieu’s wife, Jordan, takes care of finding housing for them, ensuring a smooth transition from one city to another as LeMahieu moves between teams.
Overall, the baseball housing market highlights the unique challenges and solutions that players face as they navigate a transient lifestyle within the sport. From serendipitous swaps to longstanding arrangements, players rely on their network of teammates and connections to find suitable housing options as they move from team to team.
