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.
Give the guy a contract already. Make the lineup formidable.
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.
@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.
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.
I’m sorry I missed this being a Braves thread
Braves can give him a one year deal to play and a four year offer for stadium naming rights.
The 10 day AAA assignment to “Work on his defense” will keep Bryant from ever agreeing to an extension.
Since they have him $19 million to play this year in spite of his 2020 performance, I think they can call it even.
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?
I think Bryant is the best player on the team and if I could only afford one I would try hard to extend Bryant.
Wrong.
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.
“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.
Bryant and his Kingpin Dad can take a hike. Biggest disappointment in Cubs history sans 2016.
That’s more than a little ridiculous, but I’m curious who the second biggest disappointment is…
Ernie Banks, probably. This guy’s enough of a joke to say so, anyway.
@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.
100% agree- he had better produce big this year.
Let me introduce you to javier Baez- the best player on the Cubs.
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.
You will be sorry when Bryant get well physically and has an MVP like a year against the Cubs.
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
Stick to your losers ,
Sox Suck , how’d you do in the playoffs, losers losers,
It’ll be worse with your new drunken manager
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
Turner has to be a lightning rod in the clubhouse. Regardless of what Turner, the Dodgers and/or MLB say publicly, some teammates might not want him around after his COVID test and championship celebration.
His teammates told him to celebrate w them
None of his teammates cared about that unless they didn’t already like him.
It’s a once in a lifetime situation anyways.
I forget, how many Dodger players reported did Turner infect again? It was like half the team right? Plus women and Children?
I think players probably take bigger issues with PED suspensions and players accused of domestic violence than Turner and his Covid test. Bare in mind also he was already in the clubhouse all day and in the field the vast majority of the game around players and families
If you want to throw shade, do it at MLB and their failed handing of the Covid testing. Players should have been tested and had the results before they even showed up to the field… not getting results back in the 7th inning.
Actually we have no idea because nothing further was ever reported either way, and would not have been because the season was over at that point. Speaking of throwing shade, you don’t seem to know the actual story. Turner’s pregame test was inconclusive, so another was performed. That was the one that came up positive during the game.
And yet this is an old story, and totally over, so maybe it’s time for everybody to let it go already.
Relax
looie clearly has no clue regarding the Dodgers. Turner has been one of the most respected and well-liked members of the organization since he joined the team and the players wanted him out there to celebrate with them. Take your ignorant speculation elsewhere.
LOL. Turner is recognized throughout MLB as the quintessential clubhouse guy….his value is based on his presence in the clubhouse now more than ever
Get a grip. Real people aren’t afraid of the Coof,
Dude. The team demanded he be in the picture. Stop making BS up to keep bringing this up. It’s the biggest non story in the game
You’re being that person who gets offended on behalf of someone else. Just stop
Why move Pollock? He is the starting LF and an excellent all-around player. Just get a better 3B than Turner.
Don’t be fooled by Pollock’s 2020 stats. Small sample size written all over that. He was an 0.800 OPS in the previous three seasons. His defense has regressed to the point that he cannot play CF unless it’s to occasionally fill in. He’s also injury prone. One of the few Friedman mistakes along with Joe Kelly.
It’s a lot easier to replace Pollock’s production in LF then Turner’s production at 3B, especially on a dollars basis.
He was healthy for the first time in 4 seasons
No reason to not buy into it other than you just want to hate on a Dodger
Yeah, the Dodgers really don’t need to move anyone in order to sign Turner, least of all Pollock. At this point trying to get under the tax just to bring Turner back wouldn’t be a smart move, so they will be over, anyway. Besides, Pollock’s wife gave birth to their baby about 3 months premature prior to the season, and he had every reason to sit out and help take care of his wife and newborn baby, butt he chose to play, reportedly due mainly to his wife encouraging him to do so, and I would like to see him stay with the Dodgers.
I’d think that they would rather go below $250mm with Turner. Not out of the question that they are okay being over $250mm this year, but I would think that they’d prefer to be under $250mm with Turner. If so, then you probably need to deal either Price or Pollock. Kelly to a lesser extent. I think they would love to deal either of the three, but will also need to send prospects
but*
Just noticed my typo and couldn’t let that one go.
“newborn baby butt”
I totally agree with you, there’s absolutely no reason to ship Pollock out, especially after letting Joc walk. He’s a really good player, and won’t be asked to do too much in this lineup. He’ll bat 6th or 7th with Turner in the lineup, and he can thrive there.
The context is saving payroll. Pollock being overpaid makes him a potential trade target along with Price and less so for Joe Kelly. Yes, the Dodgers will be way over the threshold but do they want to be above $250mm if they sign Turner? That will mean a high tax bill this year, and drafting 10 spots below in the first round. Not too significant but it is something. And it corners you if you need to spend more money on a mid-season trade when you will be taxed at 62.5% for every incremental dollar you spend. Cooper is essentially an 0.800 OPS producer that you can plug at LF, which is very average. That 0.800 OPS is what Pollock will probably generate close to in a full season as he was around 0.800 every season between 2017-2019. That is not that difficult to replace. I think you’re too caught up on the small 2020 sample size. Between the two Joc is the one they should have kept but I suspect that part of the reason Pollock is still here is that there would be some challenges in dealing Pollock.
excellent point. Now that Joc is a cubbie (that even sounds weird) shipping Pollock would make no sense at all
First, there is not such thing as “cap space” in baseball but I understand what you are getting at.
The problem is, the Dodgers are nearly 30 million over the luxury tax already and are getting hit with nearly a 10 million dollar penalty already. The Dodgers have now exceeded the luxury tax the past three seasons which means they will now have to pay 50% on all overages.
Unless the Dodgers cleared some space, they would be subjected to a 40% surtax vs the current 12 percent. Moving Polock and Kelly would be beneficial in terms of luxury tax but who is going to take either? Pollock hasn’t played close to a full season since 2015. Kelly is mediocre and best known for throwing at players.
The Dodgers have not exceeded the tax threshold the past three seasons. They have been UNDER the threshold the last three seasons. Being over in 2021 will cost them a 20% tax on overages, not 50%.
Get your facts straight drasco.
He’s talking about the 42.5% surtax on amounts above $250mm, so the total tax rate goes to 62.5% on any amounts above $250mm. Plus your first round pick is bumped down 10 spots. Current run rate is about $240mm without Turner, so the Dodgers get taxed at 20% up to $230mm, and 32% (which includes the 12% surtax above the initial 20%) on the amount above $230mm up to $250mm.
Their tax penalty is non consequential if they go back to back
They are shopping David Price to alleviate some of that hit.
Blue Jays should consider Price. Only two years left and $16-mil per. Comes off in-time for the young core entering arbitration.
At least, that is what Mets fans are hoping.
One of the worst signings in Dodgers history, and this is the club that traded Pedro Martinez for Delino DeShields
Please drop Price….most ironic name in sports, b/c he is worthless
You are wrong The dodgers have not been since 2017 this will be the first time, The sir charge will be like 6 million which is pocket change for the Dodgers. Do you think that Friedman didn’t think this through? After this year 82 million comes odd. And Kershaw and Seager need to resign even at 30 million each they will be under the cap if they want to. Fridman plans several years in advance that why Betts big contract was no problem
The amount goes up quickly if they decide to sign Turner. Every incremental dollar they spend from now up to $250mm is taxed at 32%. Above $250mm every incremental dollar is taxed at 62.5%. And their first pick gets shifted 10 spots down if you go above $250mm. Not a huge deal, but still something.. They definitely go above $250mm if they sign Turner and don’t make a trade. If Turner is on the books for $14mm this year it gets the Dodgers to around $253mm, which gives them a tax bill of more than $12mm. Plus, you lose some flexibility if you want to do a mid-season trade and need to tack on payroll. Better off trimming some of that now if you can do it.
How about the Jays take Jansen and Rios for a couple prospects (20-50 range)?
Give them Stripling back. Wouldn’t mind seeing KJ and Rios in a Jays uniform.
Lmfao. You think an overpaid but very good reliever AND a 40 HR bat who can play 3B with 6 years of control is worth a guy who’d be 8th or so on the depth chart? Probably lower?
Rios has never hit 40 bombs, so that’s incorrect right off the bat. No pun intended.
Second, taking Kelly’s entire contract is what lowers the value of the trade.
Third, mentioning Stripling was a joke not meant to be taken seriously. You took it serious.
It would not take that much to get Rios and Kelly. Do not kid yourself, although a sense of humor has escaped you.
Finally the Pirates make some MLBTR news, and it’s this. 🙁
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
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
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
Yeah except the Dodgers will give him 4, and everyone will be happy.
Bauer is not an overpay…Price otoh LOL
David Price makes Rich Hill 2019 money. They got 50 Hill innings for that 15M
Stop pretending he’s a drain on payroll
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.
still worth it. first championship in over 3 decades gives you some leverage. Pay. The. Man.
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.
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….
Not greedy, just fully aware that this could be the last contract he signs.
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
Because he wants to have a job
‘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.
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
Do you think Turner is not bitter toward the Mets, the way they treated him when they had him?
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.
Toronto is in the American League and will have the DH in 2021 and beyond.
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.
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.
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.
Cruz was drunk and killed (yes allegedly). Why is he in camp?
No, he wasn’t killed, 3 people involved were
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.
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.
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
Vehicular manslaughter. They should cut bait.
The report that he was under the influence is fake news.
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.
Accident- they do happen. he was not under the influence, he stayed and helped- if anything the other parties were guilty.
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
I wouldn’t mind seeing Turner in Atlanta. Riley could back up 3B, LF and 1B.
“We are not aware of anything that should prevent him from being on time at this point,”
Always a good sign.
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
Lol
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.
Lol cardinal fans being cardinal fans, i.e. irrational hatred (and statements re) anything Cub.
Turner will be a Met.
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
Yes, but several other articles disagree.
google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j…
google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j…
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.
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
Pretty insane to think about how dangerous riding a motorcycles with no lights is.
If Turner would sign a one year contract he would have signed a long time ago
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.
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.
“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.
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.
All you so called baseball experts. HAVE A LOT TO SAY ABOUT NOTHING!!!!
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.
Isn’t that what you just did?
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.
“There’s a show. That’s a show.”
Says a so called baseball expert. Lol
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?
You don’t seem very bright. Do you even watch baseball? Do you have any clue about the business side of it?
This has to be a Sox troll. They are bitter after only now emerging from a 12 year rebuild.
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.
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.
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?
Any guesses what the Mets plans are for JD Davis? They keep looking at other options for third base.
A. Bryant.
B. Turner
C Maybe Suarez.
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.
Sims got the good stuff from Bauer last season and revived his career
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.
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.
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.
Hopefully the Mets don’t let Turner’s agent use them like Bauer’s did.
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.
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