Clayton Kershaw and Justin Turner completed the 2022 regular season as the longest-tenured players in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, then both became free agents after the World Series concluded.
Kershaw reached the open market after his one-year contract expired, and Turner joined him in free agency by way of the Dodgers declining their $16 million team option for 2023. Turner received a $2 million buyout as part of becoming a free agent.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman called Kershaw and Turner top priorities for the team, and the left-hander has since been re-signed to a one-year contract.
Turner remains a free agent as the Winter Meetings were underway in San Diego, and is drawing interest from the Miami Marlins, according to Craig Mish of the Miami Herald:
Marlins have shown interest in Free Agent Third Baseman Justin Turner per sources.
— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) December 6, 2022
The Marlins are the only team other than the Dodgers to be publicly linked to Turner so far this winter. If Turner does sign with the Marlins, he would reunite with former Dodgers co-hitting coach Brant Brown.
Turner batted .278/.350/.438 with a 123 wRC+ this past season despite a slow start and remains one of the better all-around third basemen in baseball. Turner has spent the past nine years with the Dodgers and hopes to finish his career with the franchise.
Justin Turner records in Dodgers postseason history
Turner is the all-time Dodgers franchise postseason leader in games played (86), hits (85), home runs (13), doubles (19), runs scored (43), RBI (42), total bases (145), walks (38) and hit by pitches (13). He also is the all-time Dodgers leader in hit by pitches during the regular season.
Off the field, Turner became the third Dodgers player to win the Roberto Clemente Award. It’s presented annually to the player who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.
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