The Los Angeles Dodgers have lost several key contributors in free agency this offseason, including Trea Turner, who signed an 11-year, $300 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Dodgers had interest in bringing back Turner, but reportedly weren’t keen on signing him to a long-term deal. There was also a belief the Florida native wanted to return to the East Coast.
Although his tenure with the Dodgers was brief, Turner enjoyed his time in L.A., and thanked the organization and fans for the memories that will last a lifetime.
Walker Buehler took to Twitter to wish Turner well on his next chapter with the Phillies:
Traitor. No we love you brotha. Enjoy that bag!! https://t.co/CARBB9ZRcn
— Walker Buehler (@buehlersdayoff) December 10, 2022
In parts of two seasons with the Dodgers, Turner batted .307/.353/.490 with 56 doubles, 31 home runs, 128 RBI and 38 stolen bases across 212 games.
Turner’s departure creates a void at shortstop for the Dodgers, but they nonetheless will receive a compensation pick in the 2023 MLB Draft due to him rejecting the $19.65 million qualifying offer.
The club could still sign Carlos Correa or Dansby Swanson to replace Turner, but they more likely will acquire a lesser shortstop or address the position internally.
Trea Turner: Family comfort was factor in signing with Phillies
Turner reportedly turned down more lucrative contract offers elsewhere in favor of joining the Phillies. “I was lucky enough to have some good offers on the table, and it was a tough consideration going through it,” he said during his introductory press conference at Citizens Bank Park.
“Me and my wife wanted to weigh all options, try to take the process as serious as possible, because we look at it as a partnership between whatever organization we were going to pick and our family. We were looking at it as all-in for a long time.
“We sat down and talked for a long time. Money wasn’t the No. 1 option for us; obviously it plays a part, but we just pictured ourselves here. I pictured myself in this uniform. [My wife] pictured herself living here and having family come and visit.
“We pictured playing with Bryce (Harper), (Kyle) Schwarber, Kevin Long. It just seemed like a lot of things added up and pointed us in this direction, and we were excited about it. This place is fun to play. I watched a lot of the playoff games, and this place was rocking.
“Just a lot of things pointing in this direction, and we felt really comfortable and happy. … We were committed 100% to where we were going to sign. We weren’t going to try to do a short-term deal or try to get the most money. We were trying to build a family and be in a spot for a long time.”
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