After years of not worrying about shortstop, it is now arguably the biggest need on the Los Angeles Dodgers roster after losing Corey Seager prior to the 2022 season and having Trea Turner enter free agency this offseason.
The Dodgers extended the $19.65 million qualifying offer to Turner last week, but he is set to receive a long-term deal that could exceed $30 million annually, so there was never a real chance he would consider accepting it. Regardless, he had until Tuesday, Nov. 15 to formally accept or decline the offer.
With the deadline now here, Turner has reportedly decided to reject the qualifying offer, according to Juan Toribio of MLB.com:
Trea Turner also declined the #Dodgers qualifying offer, which is the least surprising news of the day.
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) November 15, 2022
Despite rejecting the offer, he is still eligible to negotiate and re-sign with the Dodgers, and he can continue to talk with every other club.
Because Turner was extended a qualifying offer, the Dodgers would receive draft pick compensation if he signs with a new organization. However, because they went over the luxury tax threshold during the 2022 season, the compensation pick would be placed after the fourth round has been completed in the 2023 MLB Draft.
The 29-year-old hit .298/.343/.466 with 39 doubles, four triples, 21 home runs and 100 RBI in his first full season with the Dodgers while earning a second career All-Star Game selection and finishing second in baseball to Freddie Freeman (199) with 194 hits.
Trea Turner unlikely to re-sign with Dodgers
Although there is said to be mutual interest between Turner and the Dodgers, re-signing in L.A. is not considered a likely outcome. The speedy shortstop has been drawing interest from the Philadelphia Phillies and Seattle Mariners, among other teams.
The Dodgers could target other options quality options in free agency, including Dansby Swanson, Carlos Correa, and Xander Bogaerts should Turner decide to join a new club.
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