Justin Turner is in the final season of his four-year, $64MM contract with the Dodgers, but the star third baseman tells Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times that he hasn’t discussed a contract extension with the team yet. Extension talks are prohibited while the league is under a transaction freeze, but it’s nevertheless notable that they’d not yet broached the topic of a new contract when such negotiations were permissible.
Turner missed some time back in 2018 due to a fractured wrist and a hamstring strain but has mostly avoided the injured list in recent seasons. While he’ll turn 36 in the offseason, he’s been nothing short of excellent at the plate. Given all the star power up and down the Dodger lineup, it’s easy for Turner to get lost in the shuffle. Over the past three seasons, he’s posted an outstanding .307/.397/.519 batting line with 62 homers, 87 doubles and a triple. He’s been one of the toughest players in the league to strike out in that time — just 13 percent — while drawing a walk in just over 10 percent of his trips to the plate. Since 2017, the only qualified hitters in baseball with a better OBP are Mike Trout, Joey Votto, Juan Soto, Aaron Judge and Christian Yelich.
The Dodgers have some internal options. Edwin Rios and Chris Taylor are both capable of playing third base, and on a speculative basis, Corey Seager could slide over with Gavin Lux taking over at shortstop. Max Muncy has also appeared in at least 30 games at the hot corner in each of the past two seasons.
On the one hand, Turner’s outstanding offensive production and the relatively short-term commitment he’d command due to his age make a reunion a sensible pursuit for the Dodgers. Then again, the club pursued Anthony Rendon this winter with an eye toward Turner changing positions, so perhaps the preference is to lock in a younger third base option with better defensive contributions. (Turner once rated as a premium defender but has seen his numbers deteriorate a bit in his mid-30s.)
[Related: 2020-21 Free Agent Third Basemen]
If Turner ultimately reaches the open market, he’ll be among the best bats available in free agency, although he spoke fondly of the Dodgers when chatting with Castillo. “Obviously there’s a possibility that there’s no season and my Dodger career could’ve ended last year in the playoffs, which would be tough,” said Turner. “It would be sad. Sad to think about.”
Dodgers should pursue a one or two year deal to set themselves up for Lindor.
Arenado, not Lindor.
Arenado would cost players. Lindor just money.
Opt out
Cal State Fullerton Titans!
Maybe the future DH of the Dodgers?
I feel like the Dodgers would be more prone to just kind of flipping regulars at DH to keep everyone fresh, however I do agree that Turner would be in a great place if the DH came to the NL
When, not if.
well if it comes in 2028, I don’t think Justin Turner would be a particularly good DH then
Well played
To protect the pitchers, there should be a DH in the NL just for this year. It would be a good barometer for a possible switch.
Lol next year Turner will be 3 years away from his 40th birthday and your thinking with your heart. Turner’s last year was this year. Next year he’ll hit his weight and half his weight is how many games he’ll miss because ailing bones.
Ironic screen name alert.
This has Bryant written all over it, The Indians demanded lux or May for lindor. Friedman isn’t going to do that. They would ship either Gray, Gonsolin or Ruiz (that’s just me though)
Remember for a trade to be made, both teams needs must be met. Cleveland, with their starting pitching, is a contender for 2020 so any Lindor trade must provide immediate help. They are not looking to rebuild.
Cleveland has a gold glove catcher in Roberto Perez who they value so Ruiz would not fit an immediate need. With starting pitching a team strength, Gonsolin does not fit an immediate need of the Indians. Gray, although a very good prospect, is not read to help in 2020.
Gray, Ruiz, and Gonsolin are good pieces that the Dodgers can spare due to their depth, but they do not fit the needs of the Cleveland Indians. That is why the Indians asked for and insisted on Gavin Lux, who could move right to shortstop and replace Lindor. Both the Indians and Dodgers Front Offices are well operated so neither team gave in during the offseason. That is why a trade was not made and likely will not change unless the needs or situation of one of the teams changes.
Fans need to look at the needs of both teams. Also, you commented that they would ship EITHER Gray, Gonsolin, or Ruiz. One of those players would never get Lindor. Look at what one year of Mookie Betts cost while taking on Price and half of his contract. Please be reasonable,
Astrocheater tell them to cut it out!! Cheap skate Dodgers will never make that trade for Lindor and in 2o22 still won’t sign him as free agent because they tight. Keep the fantasy dreams going though and have fun with Lindor in Blue Dodger fans
Seems every Dodger is now said to supposedly be “lost in the shuffle.” Not that anybody is, actually, and especially not Turner. He has not only been a cornerstone of the Dodgers offense for years, he’s a team leader and a massive fan favorite. As for extension talks, let’s stop being surprised by the lack of them. This FO simply doesn’t do them. Turner went to free agency before his current contract was signed. So did Jansen. Even Kershaw wasn’t really extended because he was in his opt-out season. So I would read absolutely nothing into the lack of extension talks, because this is just how the Dodgers roll.
BlueskyLA? And you remember Walts contract? A year at a time for 23 (?) years.
Not to worry about signing. Security for the player – yes. Though ‘things’ do happen
pandamit.
I think i get why your sigh-in icon is upside down. You always seem to measure out your comments. Steady on bra! i enjoyed your icon of before. Color!
Turner was an absolute late bloomer! He might have two/three years of 2war.
Dodgers players are versatile so they have several guys that can play multiple positions – corners, infield/outfield, etc. Their minor league teams are loaded so they continue to bring up burgeoning stars like Lux, May, etc. And they have money to spend so they can afford Arenado, Bryant, Lindor or Mookie.
In other words, as it regards Turner, they can pretty much do anything they want. Options A-J are all on the table.
You can criticize Friedman for not winning it all yet. But he just may be the best in the game. At the very least, he’s on a very short list.
Angels & nlwest? Maybe Friedman did win it all. Two years even.
(A”stos banned for life)
Sentimentally, I’d love to see him return on a short – term deal, but LA is too deep not to use their quality depth here.
No matter what happens with the rest of this season, the next one will probably find Turner coming back on a two-year contract to play first, Seager moving to 3B, and Lux at SS, with Muncy remaining at 2B. Hernandez will probably be lost to free agency.
Dodgers front office is probably going to wait to see how Turner performs. If he puts up similar numbers as he has in the past then they will offer him most likely a two year deal paying about the same as what he’s earning now or a bit less. If he doesn’t perform as well then they will contribute it to age and resign him for one year at a reduced salary or let him go and use their incredible depth or resources to trade or obtain a free agent. Lots of options for the Dodgers if they go that route. I see them resigning Turner even if he has a bad year, just at a much more reduced salary. They value his leadership much the same way they did Either, Freese and Utley.
MLB needs to come to a decision on whether the DH is permanently in or still out for 2021. Before the off-season commences. So NL teams can make decisions on players like Turner. He’s an obvious re-up with the DH in place, perhaps not so much without it.
I say Arte Moreno signs him to a 10 – year deal.
Sammmydjkasjhfjweeuil? Gawd that’s funny!!!!
The Dodgers have such a wealth of depth, flexibility and production that they feel like they are in the drivers seat. They can afford to look for a deal with considerable value or just not take the chance on an infielder who will be 36 next season. On the other hand, he seems to really want to remain a Dodger and he’s an outstanding club house presence. Those are culture building characteristics.
It makes all the sense to wait till he is a FA, even if they plan to resign him. It’s better for the luxury tax and it’s better for flexibility.
He’d slide in 1B wonderfully. Seager at 3b, Lux ss, Muncy at 2B. A 2 year deal maybe with an option would be plenty
He may be lost nationally, but Turner is the closest thing to a captain there is atm in baseball. LAD won’t let him walk Imo
That was an original idea.
Justin Turner does more for clubhouse chemistry than what we see on the field. I say this as kindly as possible, but I hope those penny-pinching motherf*ckers give him a reasonable deal. After all, January 22nd is Justin Turner Day in Los Angeles..
They annually spend 200M in their payroll. That’s 3x Pitt. Grow up and get a real thing to complain about
“Grow up and get a real thing to complain about” – And just because you don’t agree doesn’t mean civility should be thrown away.
Turner is good, but not 20m a year good. Unless they bring the DH to the national league let him go.
Love you JT