Although the Los Angeles Dodgers were linked to then-Cincinnati Reds third baseman Todd Frazier last winter, the club passed on the opportunity to acquire the two-time All-Star. Frazier instead went to the Chicago White Sox in a three-team trade that sent Micah Johnson, Frankie Montas and Trayce Thompson to the Dodgers.
President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman explained the Dodgers were more than comfortable with Justin Turner at third base despite his coming off microfracture knee surgery. Friedman added there was consideration given to playing Frazier at a position other than third base.
But there’s some uncertainty pertaining to Turner’s future with the Dodgers as the soon-to-be-32-year-old is a free agent. Turner formally rejected the one-year, $17.2 million qualifying offer on Monday.
According to Dave Williams of Barstool Sports, the Dodgers and White Sox are reportedly discussing a blockbuster trade involving Frazier and ace Chris Sale:
Rumor on the hot stove is the #Dodgers and #WhiteSox are discussing Sale & Frazier in a package deal to LA for a big prospect return
— whitesoxdave (@barstoolWSD) November 15, 2016
Acquiring Frazier and Sale would immediately address two of the Dodgers’ need, but the presumed package in exchange for the duo would easily exceed what Friedman to this point has traded away during his tenure in Los Angeles.
When the Dodgers were among the several clubs reportedly contacting the White Sox on Sale prior to the Aug. 1 non-waiver deadline, the likes of Cody Bellinger, Willie Calhoun, Jose De Leon, Julio Urias and Alex Verdugo were among the prospects mentioned as trade candidates.
Sale was 17-10 this season over 32 starts, with a 3.34 ERA, 3.46 FIP and 1.04 WHIP. He ranked second in the American League with 233 strikeouts.
Frazier had somewhat of a down year, batting .225/.302/.464 with 21 doubles, 40 home runs, 98 RBI and a 109 OPS+ in a career-high 158 games. Comparatively, Turner hit .275/.339/.493 with 34 doubles, 27 home runs and a 124 OPS+ over 151 games.
Beyond contributions at the plate, Turner was a finalist this season for a Gold Glove Award at third base.
Sale, who will turn 28 years old in March, is guaranteed $12 million next season. His contract includes a $12.5 million club option ($1 million buyout) for 2018, and a $15 million club option ($1 million buyout) for 2019.
Sale’s 2019 option increases to $16 million should he win a Cy Young Award next season or in 2018. It already increased from $13.5 million to $15 million by virtue of Sale finishing third in Cy Young voting in 2014.
After earning $7.5 million this season in the second of a two-year extension, Frazier is eligible for salary arbitration.
