To this point in the offseason the Los Angeles Dodgers have completed a trade for Corey Knebel and signed five players to Minor League contracts, including Brandon Morrow, Jimmy Nelson and Brock Stewart.
The Dodgers have yet to make any decisions with their free agents, which is a group that is headlined by Pedro Baez, Kiké Hernandez, Blake Treinen and Justin Turner. The Minnesota Twins reportedly have interest in Hernandez, who is said to be seeking a one-year contract.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Blue Jays have been connected to Turner on multiple occasions. The Dodgers are said to have re-signing Turner as their top choice even amid reported interest in DJ LeMahieu and a potential Nolan Arenado trade.
According to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe, Turner is looking to sign a three-year contract:
Justin Turner is seeking a three-year deal with the Dodgers, and the team would like to have him back.
Turner is coming off a seventh season with the organization and this marks a second time he’s reached free agency since signing a Minor League contract with the Dodgers in 2014. When Turner hit the open market after the 2016 season, he re-signed on a four-year deal.
Turner was an All-Star in 2017 and earned MVP votes in 2016 and 2018. He’s remained productive even while battling some hamstring trouble in recent years. That has been particularly evident during the Dodgers’ annual trips to the postseason.
Beyond what Turner provides on the field, he’s a valued leader in the clubhouse and community. “He’s the heart and soul of this team,” Austin Barnes said of Turner after Game 3 of the World Series.
“He’s been the heart and soul. Getting those runs across early was huge. J.T. is a big player for us, he’s a great guy in the clubhouse and we rely on him all the time.”
Dodgers options at third base
If the Dodgers fail to re-sign Turner, they could rely on Edwin Rios in a larger role. However, there are questions about his swing and if it can translate to being an everyday player. Should the Dodgers not have Turner or Rios at third base, they could attempt to pry Arenado from the Colorado Rockies, or explore LeMahieu so long as he remains on the open market.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in our shows, and more!
