The Los Angeles Dodgers made contract option decisions this week on Hanser Alberto, Danny Duffy and Jimmy Nelson, which has left only Justin Turner still waiting on the team’s direction as the 2 p.m. PT deadline looms on Thursday.
During recent interviews with media, Turner relayed he had not yet received any indication from the Dodgers. They declined team options on Alberto, Duffy and Nelson, making each of the three a free agent. Alberto received a $250,000 buyout in lieu of having his option exercised for 2023.
Turner’s contract terms are a $16 million option for next season, and $2 million buyout.
As the Dodgers head into the final day before needing to make a decision, general manager Brandon Gomes said various contract talks are being held with Turner’s agent at Vayner Sports, according to Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
Gomes said Dodgers have been in discussions with Justin Turner's agent about different contract options
Asked if the Dodgers would like to have him back, but at less than his $16 million option, Gomes only reiterated that "we'd love to have him at Camelback Ranch come spring"
— Jack Harris (@Jack_A_Harris) November 10, 2022
Like Gomes, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman expressed a hope of still having Turner part of the team moving forward.
He previously was a free agent after the 2016 and 2020 seasons. Turner re-signed with the Dodgers on respective four- and two-year contracts in those instances.
A holder of several Dodgers postseason records, Turner wants to finish his career with the franchise. He’s spent the past nine seasons with the Dodgers after signing a Minor League contract in 2014.
Justin Turner wins Roberto Clemente Award
Turner’s value to the Dodgers organization extends beyond the field and clubhouse, as he and his wife Kourtney are active leaders in the community.
Their endless work earned Turner the 2022 Roberto Clemente Award that is presented annually to the player who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.
“This is a tremendous honor and a very special award. I think when you think about baseball and the history and all the great accolades that can be achieved on the field, this is one that stands out above all of them for me,” Turner said during a press conference to be presented with the award.
“Because it’s a way that my wife and I have the opportunity to give back in the community, to utilize our platform in a meaningful, positive way.
“To help lift people up who are in need and in times of pain, especially the last few years that we’ve been through with the pandemic as it hit the entire world very hard, but it was especially tough for Angelenos.
“And to be able to have this foundation, this resource to go through to have an impact and dive into impacting people’s lives and lifting them up and providing them with supplies, resources, anything that they need in tough times has been special to us.
“As a Los Angeles Dodger the bar was already set pretty high for Kourt and I with guys like Steve Garvey and Clayton Kershaw who are obviously previous winners. To be able to follow in their footsteps and try to make the organization proud and make the Clemente family proud is something that we hold near and dear to our heart.”
Steve Garvey (1981) and Clayton Kershaw (2012) are the only other Dodgers to ever win the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award.
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