Dodgers: Why Having Trea Turner and Corey Seager Isn’t a Problem for LA
Folks, Trea Turner is officially a Los Angeles Dodger. The All-Star shortstop adds even more talent to a potent Dodgers lineup. But, how will both he and Corey Seager co-exist on the same roster?
There are three reasons it won’t be a problem for the Dodgers.
1. Trea Turner’s Athleticism
Turner broke into the majors as a centerfielder and a second baseman. The fleet-footed Florida native has all the range and then some to play the outfield for the Dodgers.
Turner has ranked in the top ten in the majors in sprint speed every year he’s been in the majors. He’s not just a speedster – he has 18 home runs with a .521 slugging percentage to boot.
His incredible athleticism, coupled with his defensive ability, will allow the Dodgers to deploy him in various defensive positions.
The Dodgers are the masters of leveraging their roster’s versatility to create the best lineup. Turner will join Chris Taylor as a star that can play multiple defensive positions at a high level.
2. Super Utility-man Chris Taylor
Chris Taylor’s positional flexibility must have been a factor in the decision to get Turner. CT3 has played plenty of second base (45 games) this year, but starting Turner at second doesn’t displace Taylor. Taylor is more than capable in the outfield.
Most teams wouldn’t dare to acquire another middle infielder when they already have an All-Star and a World Series MVP.
Thanks to Taylor, it won’t be an issue.
3. Injury Insurance
Nobody’s going to feel bad for the talented Los Angeles Dodgers, but they’ve been hammered by injuries this season. If stars Corey Seager, Mookie Betts, or Cody Bellinger hit the IL again, the Dodgers will simply reformat their lineup and position Turner accordingly. Friedman didn’t just trade for Turner, he bought a super premium insurance policy.
NEXT: Andrew Friedman ‘Spooked’ by Padres’ Pursuit of Max Scherzer
Turner might be the centerfield replacement for Bellinger. While having Turner makes the Dodgers more flexible when it comes to Seager’s free agency. But it wouldn’t shock me if they are both in the lineup come Opening Day 2022 and Bellinger is gone?
Cody has no business being in the majors at this point. Even the D-backs announcers were questioning why he was batting 5th the other day. Everyone else can see that Cody is having issues. Too bad Roberts doesn’t get it.
Exactly. Bellinger should bat 7th or 8th but I fear Roberts will begin to sit CT3 and or Pollock just to accommodate Cody in CF once Trea Turner arrives. And that would be insanity , especially if he’s being told he has to keep Bellinger in the lineup no matter what.
Bellinger needs rehabbing but he doesn’t need going. He’s done a lot for the Dodgers and they need to fix him. He’s never fully recovered from his surgery, I think.
Given the way the Giants are playing (showing no signs of collapse or a late June Swoon) it is a real head shaker the way Bellinger just continues to eat up AB’s and turn them into outs. If this club is going to make a run and overtake the Giants they should have the best lineup they can get in there and not the “managers most popular guys” lineup.
I just wish someone would sit Roberts down and tell him exactly what ya said. Dodgers must have the best lineup in there daily if they even wish to come any closer to Giants in the division. But watch the Dodger lineup on Tuesday when once again dumb Roberts will be inept enough to bat Bellinger 4th or 5th. We already know the meaning of insanity which applies here.
Trea or Taylor, which one should be at 2B and which one in CF? Let Friedman, not Roberts, make that call. Bellinger needs to be in Oklahoma City, for his protection and for the Dodgers’ protection. Next year, Trea at SS. They can’t afford Seager as a free agent. They will be over $300 million CBT if they pay him and Taylor (and maybe resign Scherzer [le’t hope he likes it here]; going to root him on Wednesday night to welcome him. $300+ million is not sustainable due to the penalties.
The Dodgers have 3 future first-round HOFers on the current roster: Albert, Scherzer, Kershaw. The last team I recall with such a trio was the Braves of Maddox, Smoltz and Glavine [although they were in their prime, not their dottage]. Before that, it would have been the Big Red Machine, Joe Morgan, Johnny Bench, Pete Rose, but Rose was disqualified. Before that, the 27 Yankees?
The old Brooklyn Dodgers has Reese , Snider, Robinson, Campanella, Newcomb,(and Hodes should be in).
Bench those hitting below .200.