There has been little movement on the free-agent market thus far, with only 24 players signing Major League contracts to date. For the Los Angeles Dodgers, they have yet to make any decisions with their own free agents.
The group is headlined by Justin Turner, who reportedly seeks a three-year contract. While the Dodgers have made it known they prefer to retain the 36-year-old, he is also being pursued by the Toronto Blue Jays, among other clubs.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed that he has kept in touch with Turner, but isn’t sure when he’ll make a decision. “I think Justin is traveling right now. I’m not sure where he’s at,” Roberts said.
“I talked to him the night before Corey Seager’s wedding. We did a little quick FaceTime, the beard was trimmed up. We’ll connect next week. I didn’t really get too much into where he’s at as far as his free agency.
“I just really feel that’s a decision for him and his wife Kourtney, his agent. He’s going to kick the tires on whatever opportunity presents itself. You know how much I value him as a person and player.”
Should the Dodgers fail to re-sign Turner, they could turn to internal options to replace him, or potentially do so via trade or free agency. The club has been linked to the likes of Nolan Arenado and DJ LeMahieu.
“I think the thing that’s great about our guys is we’re open to the best option,” Roberts said. “Best kind of encompasses a lot of different things: the fit, the skillset, the talent, and also the cost.
“All of that, Andrew does a very good job of looking at everything and turning over every stone. I do think what we have in house is a lot of talent. The net-net, ultimately we’ll figure out what wins out.”
Re-signing Turner a top priority for Roberts
Since signing a Minor League contract with the Dodgers in 2014, Turner has not only thrived on the field, but also established himself as a valued leader in the clubhouse and community.
Given all that he means to the organization, re-signing Turner sits at the top of Roberts’ list of priorities this offseason. “He’s way up there. He’s way up there,” Roberts said.
“I think what Justin does on the field, in the clubhouse, in the community, he’s one of the Dodger greats. He really is. It’s been six years he’s been with the Dodgers, and he’s in that elite company.
“His body of work is really special and unique. But it’s a two-way deal here: it’s the Dodgers and Justin and his family. For me, selfishly, I’ll take him for as long as I can have him.”
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