Dodgers Fans Split on Potential Justin Turner Return, Per Latest Poll
Former Dodgers fan favorite Justin Turner will be hitting free agency once again this offseason after he declined his $13.4 million player option to remain with the Boston Red Sox. It will mark the second straight offseason that Turner is a free agent, and there has been some talk about a return to Los Angeles.
Turner has only been gone for one season, but he continues to be linked to the Dodgers. However, it seems that the majority of Dodgers fans are pretty split on whether LA should bring him back again.
In a poll conducted by us here at DodgersNation, the results were slightly favored toward the “No” category interestingly. Of the nearly 4,000 fans who voted, 51.4 percent of them said “No,” they would not want JT back this offseason.
At this point in his career, Turner is mainly a designated hitter. LA could slot him in as their DH in the lineup, but that would likely mean that they missed out on other targets.
The Dodgers are pursuing free agent two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani this winter, and if signed, he would be the DH for them next season. They don’t want anything to get in the way of trying to sign him, so until they are out of the running, the team won’t make a move at the position.
They also could just bring back J.D. Martinez rather than Turner for the DH spot, something the team has been reportedly open to doing if they don’t get Ohtani. Turner seems more like the third or even fourth option for LA this offseason, so the likelihood of a return is low.
He showed that there was still some pop in his bat last season, however, hitting .276 with 23 home runs and 96 runs batted in. Turner also brings strong leadership skills to the table, and he is consistently one of the better clubhouse guys around.
While he may not return to the Dodgers, he will make whatever team that signs him very happy. He is a professional through and through, and it’ll be interesting to see how the offseason shakes out for him.
Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
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My heart would love to see JT back with the Dodgers. He seems like a good guy who had some good seasons with the team and made real contributions.
But my brain says where are you going to play him? He’s got a good bat, but there are better DH options out there. Max is not as good defensively, but better offensively, but already signed. So unless you move Max to second, where he can play, and put JT back on third where’s he going to play?
I agree Muncy will probably play 3rd. Although I would be OK if Vargas or Busch are given a shot there. They signed Muncy and he would be a great DH as he is a below average defender at 3rd. If they do not sign Ohtani or Martine then that would open up 3rd but the dodgers have Vargas, Busch and DeLuca that they will need to trade or play.
Once again, the Dodgers are trying to find a third baseman. Since they have what appears to be some very good catchers in the minors, maybe it’s time to move Will Smith to third base. It has been done in the past with some catchers that were pretty good — Johnny Bench and Joe Torre to mention a couple. Will is good, not great, behind the plate but perhaps could be very good at third base. He could also be the backup as a catcher. It would also prolong his career. Just a thought.
So, over 50% of Dodger fans don’t want Justin Turner to return to the Dodgers? How little memory or gratitude that have for all that Justin
has contributed to the club and to the community. To twist a George Washinton saying a bit, these people must just be summer fans,as in summer soldiers. I’ve been a fan of the Dodgers since 1970, and have seen many a player come and go. Justin Turner is aone in a million great guy to have on my club.