The Mets are interested in free-agent third baseman Justin Turner, though the two sides aren’t seeing eye to eye on either contract length or value, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. It’s quite unlikely the two will bridge the gap, according to Andy Martino of SNY. Turner has at least four teams after him, but as Rosenthal notes, the Dodgers – his longtime club – remain the favorites to sign him. A Mets deal would be interesting, though, as they let Turner go after he spent 2011-13 with them. The 36-year-old has since blossomed into a star with the Dodgers.
Now for a few items from around the National League Central…
- The Cubs are planning on discussing contract extensions with some of their important veterans during spring training, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer revealed (via Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago). It’s “almost” certain they’ll talk new deals with first baseman Anthony Rizzo and shortstop Javier Baez, Wittenmyer reports, though it’s unclear whether the Cubs will make a spirited effort to retain third baseman/outfielder Kris Bryant for the long haul. All three players are only under team for one more season. Bryant has been part of plenty rumors in recent weeks, so he seems the most likely of the trio to be part of a trade.
- Reds general manager Nick Krall said right-hander Lucas Sims would be “delayed” heading into 2021 because of elbow tightness, per C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic. However, Sims tweeted Monday that he’ll be ready for opening day. That’s welcome news for the Reds, as the 26-year-old Sims turned in a quality season out of their bullpen in 2020. He threw 25 2/3 innings of 2.45 ERA/3.34 SIERA ball with a well-above-average strikeout rate of 33 percent. Sims also averaged a career-best 94 mph on his fastball.
- Although he was involved in a car crash that took three lives in his native Dominican Republic in September, Pirates infield prospect Oneil Cruz should be with the club for the start of spring training, according to Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic. “We are not aware of anything that should prevent him from being on time at this point,” a team spokesperson said.
TradeAcuna
Give the guy a contract already. Make the lineup formidable.
Kellen66
Acuna, Turner, Freeman, Ozuna, Albies, d’Arnaud, Riley, Swanson would be darn good, that’s for sure! Riley could hopefully relax and blossom with those 6 in front of him.
braves25
@Kellen66
Where is Riley going to play if they sign Turner? Are you playing Acuna in CF with Riley and Ozuna in the corners?
If they sign Turner, which I’m not against, Riley would be a bench bat or in the minors.
larry48
you forgot the CF from the world series Pache, he should play every day. Acuna in the right field and Osuna in the left field. Riley would need to play 3rd, so with no DH Atlanta has no need for Turner.
rparker68
I’m sorry I missed this being a Braves thread
Armaments216
Braves can give him a one year deal to play and a four year offer for stadium naming rights.
Ully
The 10 day AAA assignment to “Work on his defense” will keep Bryant from ever agreeing to an extension.
golga333
Since they have him $19 million to play this year in spite of his 2020 performance, I think they can call it even.
looiebelongsinthehall
The game is no longer about paying for the past. While it’s unfair to those that are older when they hit free agency, is it just me that believes outside of a monster year, Bryant for one will not get anything near what he was expecting just two years ago?
PeteWard8
I think Bryant is the best player on the team and if I could only afford one I would try hard to extend Bryant.
ChiSoxCity
Wrong.
Cubsforever22
I love kris and wish him the very best but the best thing for us this year and for the future is to resign Rizz and Javy and let Kris walk.
drasco036
“Re-sign”
I disagree about needing to work out extensions with either Baez or Rizzo at this point. There is no benefit to the team. I’d be happy if the Cubs extended some of their players but strategically it doesn’t make sense.
Rizzo’s value would immediately be driven down by attaching a Qualifying Offer to him.
Baez’s value will go down with the same with the added benefit of him being “just an option” in a premium free agent class. Lindor, Story, Correa, Baez, Seager and now Semien…
Bryant, if you want to bring him back, you might be able to leverage his poor 2021 and recent injury history. You may even be able to leverage some of the free agent signings this season, George Springer 6/150… seems like a good kick off point for Bryant in all honesty.
cubsnomore
Bryant and his Kingpin Dad can take a hike. Biggest disappointment in Cubs history sans 2016.
GabeOfThrones
That’s more than a little ridiculous, but I’m curious who the second biggest disappointment is…
Nick Deeds
Ernie Banks, probably. This guy’s enough of a joke to say so, anyway.
hyraxwithaflamethrower
@PeteWard8, Bryant is probably the most talented of the 3, but he hasn’t had a standout season since 2017. Rizzo also hasn’t had a standout year since 2017, but he’s a slightly better defender (going off dWAR) and didn’t fall off a cliff last year. Baez is the worst hitter of the three, but a world-class defender and the youngest. If you can only afford one of them, Baez seems to be the clear choice.
Metfan1964
100% agree- he had better produce big this year.
Metfan1964
Let me introduce you to javier Baez- the best player on the Cubs.
rondon
Rizzo’s won 2 Gold Gloves and is in that conversation every year, a solid bat in their lineup and a team leader. I’d love to see them extend him.
larry48
You will be sorry when Bryant get well physically and has an MVP like a year against the Cubs.
IACub
Hes one of the most talented players on the roster, but his last couple years have exposed some holes in his swing (combined with nagging injuries) this will be a prove it year for him though I imagine a few teams would still pay for the potential regardless
chitowninwi
Stick to your losers ,
Sox Suck , how’d you do in the playoffs, losers losers,
It’ll be worse with your new drunken manager
Loling @ you
I’d like to see dodger move pollock and maybe Kelly to free up some cap space now. Then give turner a front loaded contact so he is financially happy and can sign for just 2 years. 2/30 million 20 in first year 10 in second
Kellen66
Finally the Pirates make some MLBTR news, and it’s this. 🙁
Cap & Crunch
I really think Toronto fouled up not giving the Semien money to Turner
If Mets were willing to go 40 on Bauer they should just overpay for a nice home reunion with Turner – They got the side pieces to only have to play him 125 regular season games then have him primed for the playoffs . If Mets fans loved Wilmer Flores their gonna faint over Justin Turner
Loling @ you
Until his production falls of the cliff due to age. By all means take him for 4 years at 15-20 million per season. He is also injured every season and only has 1 season in which he play more than 150 games. Easy pass as a dodger fan for that length
Cap & Crunch
Nobodies giving him 4
I cant Imagine he would turn down an overpay like a 2/38 with a 12 mill option for year 3 with a 2 mill buyout – Thats an overpay they should be willing to make if they were willing to hand over 40 mill to Bauer a week ago
liljoe12
Yeah except the Dodgers will give him 4, and everyone will be happy.
Bauer is not an overpay…Price otoh LOL
Lurking
David Price makes Rich Hill 2019 money. They got 50 Hill innings for that 15M
Stop pretending he’s a drain on payroll
larry48
No player has ever signed a 4-year contract at age 36. Hoese will be a 3B starter in 2022. Turner will be DH if he resigns for 2 with the team an option on 3rd as long as he continues to hit.
liljoe12
still worth it. first championship in over 3 decades gives you some leverage. Pay. The. Man.
tdotjays
If Turner would accept a 1 year deal, he’d be a Dodger by now. The Jays would have to offer Turner 3+ years minimum for him to sign. No chance…
The key to the Jays offseason thus far is maintaining long term flexibility through 1 year deals (apart from Springer, of course). Semien is also eligible for a qualifying offer in next year’s free agency. If he declines it, we get a free draft pick. Good bit of business by our front office to extract the best out of a highly motivated asset, who has shown MVP caliber performances offensively and defensively in the past who can also potentially yield a draft pick.
Loling @ you
I just don’t understand what turners disposition is, you have a team willing to offer you 2 years and is a proven contender to win a ring again. In 2 years if your still good revisit it with dodgers and get another 2 year deal. Turner seems kinda greedy….
stymeedone
Not greedy, just fully aware that this could be the last contract he signs.
liljoe12
Just pay the man. With the ridiculous money they gave to Price, they have no justification not to pony up and give JT exactly what he wants
Lurking
Because he wants to have a job
rct
‘If Mets fans loved Wilmer Flores their gonna faint over Justin Turner’
He was already beloved by the fans when he played for the Mets . He was, despite not putting up amazing numbers, a fan favorite.
Cap & Crunch
If he was a fan favorite while doing very little I cant imagine what he would be leading them thru the playoffs . Fan favorites become legends when you start winning come Oct
larry48
Do you think Turner is not bitter toward the Mets, the way they treated him when they had him?
its_happening
Cap the idea of Turner in Toronto only works if the DH slot is available. As of now that is not the case as Tellez and Vlad have plenty of control. But Turner is a better option than Semien without question.
larry48
Toronto is in the American League and will have the DH in 2021 and beyond.
its_happening
Larry are you new? Blue Jays have multiple guys already DH’ing and they overpaid for an inferior player in Semien. There is no room for Turner now or even next year unless multiple trades are made by the Jays.
Metfan1964
Mets don’t need Turner- Let JD Davis start the season if he produces like 2019 all good if not- Kris Bryant can be traded for.
Chief Two Hands
Turner was born in Long Beach and went to college at Cal State Fullerton. Hie home is Southern California. A few forgettable years in New York before being released does not change that. It certainly would not constitute a “home reunion.” I would be very surprised if he had any interest in signing with the Mets.
implant
Cruz was drunk and killed (yes allegedly). Why is he in camp?
PutPeteRoseInTheHall
No, he wasn’t killed, 3 people involved were
Todd Kemmerer
Also nobody ever mentioned a high alcohol level except for d.a. but some ppl think he may be corrupt or trying to force an arraignment. The ppl who were hurt were drunk on a motorcycle with no lights if I recall.
mlb1225
I don’t remember them saying that the people on the motorcycle were under the influence, but there was zero evidence of him (Cruz) being under the influence during the time of the crash. Cruz was going through a lot during the time of the accident too. He was apparently driving his wife, who was sick with a baby on the way, to the hospital when the crash happened.
didi gregorious nose
actually, no field sobriety tests were performed, he stayed at the scene , hes the one who called 911 and offered aid to the victims. he was with his wife who was pregnant at the time and his toddler who had a fever, he was driving to the hospital. the motorcycle he struck had no lights and the accident occurred late at night.. its always beneficial to read and to dig deeper before placing an opinion, I’m not a bucs fan but I read the whole deposition since you know my 1st language is Spanish… i also happen to be dominican i know how imprudent bikers are out there
okinnitram
Vehicular manslaughter. They should cut bait.
mlb1225
The report that he was under the influence is fake news.
mlb1225
Adding onto that, he was apparently driving his wife, who was sick with a baby on the way, to the hospital when the crash happened.
Metfan1964
Accident- they do happen. he was not under the influence, he stayed and helped- if anything the other parties were guilty.
Lurking
So if you go drive on the freeway at 2am, with no lights, and someone changes lanes and hits you.. it’s their fault?
Spoiler. It’s not
bhambrave
I wouldn’t mind seeing Turner in Atlanta. Riley could back up 3B, LF and 1B.
dave frost nhlpa
“We are not aware of anything that should prevent him from being on time at this point,”
Always a good sign.
cards81
I know I’m just starting crap here but why not I’m snowed in another day…I hope the Cubs give Baez a huge contract…the guy can’t hit…I compare him to Bader on the cardinals
Cubsforever22
Lol
Curveball1984
If the Cubs were gonna resign these guys to extensions, they would’ve done so long ago. Ricketts just doesn’t want to spend money.
Sideline Redwine
Lol cardinal fans being cardinal fans, i.e. irrational hatred (and statements re) anything Cub.
Dan Hunter
Turner will be a Met.
mlb1225
I think this is an important thing to note:
“Yajaira Gomez Ortiz, Oneil Cruz’s lawyer:”Oneil tried to help the victims of the accident, he called 911. The motorcycle they (the victims) were riding on had no light and the authorities never mentioned that Oneil was under the influence of the alcohol””
twitter.com/hgomez27/status/1309862868465090562
Hudson6
Yes, but several other articles disagree.
google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j…
google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j…
mlb1225
Articles were published days before that info Cruz’s lawyer released on Twitter. The info Cruz’s lawyer said was released on Septebmer 26. The first article you linked was published on the 22nd and the other on the 23rd.
Todd Kemmerer
I think its pretty well known the prosecuter was trying to sell this narrative to his constituents. No evidence, with no new evidence and pirates still backing him it seems like he will be fine, but mentally not sure after an accident of that magnitude. To me it seems like a true accident and they have pretty much closed the xase
CalcetinesBlancos
Pretty insane to think about how dangerous riding a motorcycles with no lights is.
Rsox
If Turner would sign a one year contract he would have signed a long time ago
NMK 2
No thanks. Not interested in Turner at this point in his career, let alone the contract demands and Covid-19 recklessness. Mets need a little more pitching and to get ready for Opening Day.
Curveball1984
Dude… he grew up a Dodger fan and had been with the org for years AND quarantined prior. If everyone died a week later… it was worth the risk. The whole reason this game even exists is for THAT MOMENT. Winning the Series.
windycitykid89
“If everyone died a week later…it was worth the risk.”
What a joke of a statement. Yeah, I won a World Series, so screw all those people who could’ve got sick and died from my recklessness.
terry g
Turner is, unfortunately, in that bad spot, he’s too old to get a 4 year and too young to settle for a two. but he probably will have to settle for two.
Ghost of past pirates
All you so called baseball experts. HAVE A LOT TO SAY ABOUT NOTHING!!!!
stymeedone
But we are stuck in the house, and we’ve watched every thing on Netflix twice, and its fun to spend other peoples money. I see you read to the bottom.
Bill M
Isn’t that what you just did?
hyraxwithaflamethrower
There’s not much actual news to talk about. If you don’t like comments about baseball, maybe a baseball forum isn’t the place for you.
Chief Two Hands
“There’s a show. That’s a show.”
windycitykid89
Says a so called baseball expert. Lol
hyraxwithaflamethrower
Hoyer: OK, Javier, Anthony, I wanted to have a little chat with you about extensions. As you know, the team has no real depth and only limited top-flight talent in the farm, terrible ownership, and we keep crying poor despite being the main team in the third-largest market in the country. We’re also losing or giving away other star players and our only hope at ever sniffing the playoffs again is that the rest of the NL Central remains a cess pool. So, after that sales pitch, you guys must want to sign for a huuuuuge discount, right? Right? Please?
Franco27
You don’t seem very bright. Do you even watch baseball? Do you have any clue about the business side of it?
iml12
This has to be a Sox troll. They are bitter after only now emerging from a 12 year rebuild.
shibbynotdude
Anybody who follows Justin Turner, knows he visited Milwaukee during his RV tour early on in the free agency period. That’s a very possible destination.
its_happening
Brew Crew should absolutely sign Turner. Strengthens the lineup, if DH comes in 2022 he’s a safe bet there OR move him to 1B, Cain and Garcia come off the books for the Brewers to remain in-contention.
Joe Momma
It would be very Mets like to sign Turner in his twilight years after they let him walk for nothing to the Dodgers in his prime. I have a feeling this is just to drive up the price for the Dodgers who snagged Bauer from the Mets.
I can’t say I’ve seen much of Russo besides the back of his baseball card but it seems like he is a beacon of consistency for the Cubs. For those of who watch him play regularly, how much does he have left in the tank?
Say Hey Now Kid
Any guesses what the Mets plans are for JD Davis? They keep looking at other options for third base.
Dan Hunter
A. Bryant.
B. Turner
C Maybe Suarez.
Joe Ferguson
Turner is a good fit with the Dodgers. He is one of the team leaders and has a solid bat. However they need to hold the line at 2 years. He is old and prone to injury.
I would like to see them flip Price to free up innings for May and Gosolin. It would be interesting to see what Rios can do with regular ABs. He may have 30 Hr power.
bot
Sims got the good stuff from Bauer last season and revived his career
larry48
I think Truner and Bruer will sign officially next week. The Dodgers 40 roster is full instead of DSA and maybe losing them, they will wait for the two-player that will go on 60 days IL list without losing any player. The 2 pitchers had Tommy John surgery in 2020 Ferguson will miss all of 2021.
babybears
If I am the Cubs I look at a 4 year deal at like 70 million for Rizzo, then I take a hard look at Baez at like 5 years 90 million. Bryant is going to cost WAY to much. When Bote is putting up similar numbers the last 2 years as him at about 1/5 the price you do not spend money on him.
Rizzo is the only one that I would honestly extend at this point. The Cubs will have a lot of money this next offseason. They could be 110 million under the luxury tax with everyone off the books. If Heyward has a good first half I would trade him away for peanuts if I am Jed. Get that money off the books. It is the only bad contract left. 3 years 80 million or something like that I think.
Fred K. Burke
Your comments make some sense. I’d be a little uneasy about the 4 years for Rizzo. He’s north of 30 (32 this August) and has had those back issues the past 3 years or so. If the NL had the DH I would be a bit more comfortable with the 4 years. I just have a feeling that when Rizzo crashes, it’s going to be a hard crash. By all means the Cubs should move on from Bryant. The divorce has been in place the past 2 years. Both sides would benefit from a separation. Would like to add Willy Contreras to the extension wish list as well. But there’s some time to do that. Now, the Cubs have some catchers in the pipeline but as with most all young players they are lottery tickets. Willy is a sure thing. He’s also a good athlete. Back in the Maddon days he would play some corner outfield, 3rd base and 1st base as well.
Willy would be a possible replacement for Rizzo some day at 1st base. This would/could prolong his career. Catchers take a beating. Don’t see Heyward being moved unless the Cubs eat some money. Even if he has a strong 1st half/full season. Too bad for the Cubs Heyward makes just over 20 million. If he was around 12-14 million he would be worth keeping around.
jim stem
Hopefully the Mets don’t let Turner’s agent use them like Bauer’s did.
Bill M
I don’t think you have to worry about that. I don’t think that Turner wants to be a Met & I don’t think that the Mets are going to pursue Turner… at least not to the same extent that they pursued Bauer.
Spare Tire Dixon
Turner knows his best gig is as LA’s 3B for a couple more years. The DH is coming. It’s surprising that this has dragged on as long as it has