Could Justin Turner Leave the Dodgers? Breaking Down the Blue Jays’ Interest in the LA Icon
Could Justin Turner’s days with the Dodgers be coming to an end? According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Toronto Blue Jays have “been in contact” with the All-Star third baseman.
In seven seasons with the Dodgers, Turner has established himself as one of the best contact hitters in all of baseball, made an all-star team, and won the NLCS MVP in 2017. He has hit an impressive .302 in his career with the Dodgers and this past October became the franchise’s all-time leader in postseason hits.
Now a free agent, it could be JT’s last chance to get big money on the open market.
We break down Justin Turner’s 2020 season and his future with the Dodgers. Plus, picking between Justin Turner and Nolan Arenado isn’t as easy as you may think.
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We also asked fans on our Twitter who they would choose between JT and Nolan, and the results are both surprising and not surprising at all at the same time.
Let's play a game here… you can pick only one, who you going with? #Dodgers
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) November 25, 2020
Where do you stand? Sound off in the comments below!
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Join your DNpostgame host Doug McKain while we break down all the latest with your LA Dodgers. We use our 800,000 fans from Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook to gain insight into what the fans are thinking and do our best to represent all perspectives in the Dodgers Community.
NEXT: MLB Insider Doesn’t See a Nolan Arenado Trade Imminent
By most people’s view, the four year $64 million contract that just expired would be “big” money, even if COVID cost him $12 million in 2020. It certainly is possible that he would be offered a three-year contract by the Blue Jays because of the DH option. But do they really expect to get their money’s worth at age 39? In reality, at age 36, the difference between 2 years and 3 years is also not going to really be “big” money either, Then, of course, there is trading the LA weather for Toronto – or Buffalo or wherever else they end up playing next summer. It would be one thing if he was 33 and the Dodgers offered 2 year years and some other team offered 4 or 5 years. But that’s not what’s going on here. Of course, the Dodgers could be not planning to offer him a contract at all (see Arenado or Lindor). In that case, Toronto becomes a much more likely option.
Sign JT.
Once again, JT is the man. We have Rios who can play a few games there and can also man LF and 1B when needed. And we also have Hoese on the way from the minors and the possibility of Will Smith learning the position. No reason to tie up 30 mil per year if Arenando would come and stay; or to send a top prospect or 2 and have him leave after 1 year. Justin has been HUGE for us. Keep him.
I am all for JT being re-signed, but it is very likely that this will be his last player contract and the bidding could drive the price up beyond what Friedman will pay. It will not surprise me if another team in need of a third baseman outbids the Dodgers in total dollars; Atlanta would love to have him, as would St. Louis, Toronto, and NY Mets.
Would love to see JT move into a management role With the Dodgers at some point in the not too distant future! I know he put a lot of thought into signing last time, just saying he’s a leader, let him lead 🙂
I would also suggest that If the DH were to remain in the NL then that could have some impact on whether Dodgers go forward with trying to re- sign JT or not. Having the DH in 2020 surly benefited Dodgers and it allowed JT to rest his legs while still keeping him in the lineup.
Question why did we win the World Series this year? We won the World Series this year because we have the most offensive depth in baseball, and because we finally were able to clutch hit at the right time. Seagar was on fire , and getting Mookie Betts put us over the mark. Question number 2 is Justin Turner an Arenado, or Lindor? No. So if Turner is gone why do we need to give up the farm or pay the money for that caliber of player when we have the most offensive depth in baseball? Rios is perfectly capable of producing at that position if Turner is gone, and so are lower level guys like Tommy La Stella . We don’t need more offense!! How was our pitching in the World Series? Good. Are there more deficiencies in our pitching then offense? Hmmmm yes!! How many years now have we been talking about adding a number 2 starter? Next year is a full season. This year benefitted Kershaw huge because of the length of the season not gonna be the same next year. It’s time to give Kershaw a rest we got him a ring. Let him rest more the first half of the season so that he is more effective in the playoffs. And take some more pressure off our young guys and let them develop more. We have plenty of assets the time is ripe go get Snell or Bauer acting like it’s going to kill us. We have the best god damn farm system in baseball with guys that can’t even get on the field because of the talent we have. Let you’re assets do some work for you. If you are going to break the bank or give up a lot of prospects there is more value in Snell and Bauer based on what is more needed at this time. If we can get a closer too that is icing on the cake.
Dude hits jacks in big games.