Where the Los Angeles Dodgers would have been the past three seasons without Justin Turner is difficult to imagine. Of course, Turner becoming middle-of-the-order bat in Los Angeles would not have been possible without the New York Mets complying.
They non-tendered the once-utility man after the 2013 season. Turner hit free agency and didn’t catch on with the Dodgers — on a Minor League contract, no less — until February 2014. Turner played his way onto the Opening Day roster that year.
His play forced the Dodgers to trade Juan Uribe last season so they could give Turner the everyday opportunities he warranted.
Now in the midst of another strong season, the 31-year-old is in line for free agency and his first long-term contract.
But the process of working to agree to terms of a contract is not something Turner is looking forward to, via Bill Plunkett of the OC Register:
“I guess everyone’s cut from a different cloth. I personally don’t look forward to it. Obviously, I’ll be excited when it’s over with. But that whole process is the part of baseball I could do without. The process of playing the game, the preparation of getting ready for the games – that’s what I love about it. The process of the off-the-field stuff is not very fun.”
Turner and the Dodgers avoided arbitration last offseason by agreeing to a one-year, $5.1 million contract. He’s turning 32 years old this November.
Los Angeles presumably will first extend the one-year qualifying offer prior to entering into negotiations with Turner. The qualifying offer is expected to be valued at $16.7 million for the 2017 season.
