Dodgers News: Los Angeles “Increasingly Confident” in Re-signing Justin Turner

The Dodgers believe they will retain free agent third baseman Justin Turner, according to Buster Olney of ESPN. Turner, a Los Angeles native, hadn’t expressed any desire to pursue the biggest contract, instead appearing committed to making it work with the Dodgers.

Re-signing Turner would be a major move. L.A. can shift its attention toward the bullpen and adding a right-handed bat, while comfortably knowing what it has at the hot corners.

Source: The Dodgers are increasingly confident that they will re-sign third baseman Justin Turner to a multi-year deal,

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 12, 2016

Justin Turner and the Dodgers have been talking about a four-year deal. As mentioned: LAD increasingly confident he will re-sign.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 12, 2016

If Turner re-signs, this will take the LAD payroll obligations into the range of $220m for 2017 and 2018.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 12, 2016

As @Buster_ESPN reported #Dodgers and Turner are progressing toward deal. He wanted to return, LA badly wants. Marriage both sides want.

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 12, 2016

If it’s a four-year deal instead of the rumored five, that’s a win for the Dodgers. Turner’s interest in staying and lack of suitors certainly didn’t hurt negotiations. From his perspective, he still gets his money and the opportunity to be a hometown hero, so fighting for a fifth year wasn’t prioritized. In fact, Turner was “hoping” for four years, per Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports. He added the San Francisco Giants were interested in Turner, but Turner’s focus on re-signing in L.A. and the Giants’ contract with Mark Melancon ended talks before they began.

Dodgers have offer on table, awaiting Turner's approval. He's always made clear his preference to return, so sides hopeful.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 12, 2016

Olney points out the Dodgers payroll will float in the $220 range. The team will attempt to move albatross salaries such as Brandon McCarthy and Scott Kazmir to further mitigate that number, but the real question is how that affects Kenley Jansen. The Dodgers are reportedly reluctant to match the $80+ million deal he’s been offered from Miami. The chances of L.A. keeping Turner and Jansen were low from the beginning, and it appears the team has chosen Turner.

When Turner’s deal is finalized, the dominoes should starting falling. The Dodgers have a big gap in the bullpen the team will move quickly to address. There are still Brian Dozier rumors, and the opportunity to trade for a bat is still there. Turner re-signing kicks off the Dodgers’ offseason.