The Los Angeles Dodgers extended the $19.65 million qualifying offer to Trea Turner, which he has until Tuesday, November 15, to formally accept or decline.
Turner is essentially a lock to reject the one-year contract and continue forward with free agency as one of the top shortstops available. The group also includes Xander Bogaerts, Carlos Correa and Dansby Swanson.
There is said to be mutual interest between Turner and the Dodgers, but he may also be pursued by the likes of the Philadelphia Phillies and Seattle Mariners, among other teams.
According to Juan Toribio of MLB.com, Turner re-signing with the Dodgers is not considered a likely outcome:
Bringing back Turner is a possibility for the Dodgers, but multiple sources told MLB.com that it’s more likely the two-time All-Star will be playing elsewhere next season.
Since being traded to the Dodgers in 2021, there have been rumblings of Turner preferring to play on the East Coast. He downplayed that notion but the belief nonetheless persists.
Turner followed up his 2021 National League batting title by hitting .298/.343/.466 with 39 doubles, four triples, 21 home runs and 100 RBI in his first full season with the Dodgers. He earned a second career All-Star Game selection and finished second in baseball to Freddie Freeman (199) with 194 hits.
He and Freeman became the first set of teammates first set of teammates to finish first and second in total hits during the same season since Brett Boone and Ichiro Suzuki accomplished the feat with the 2001 Seattle Mariners.
Turner won a first career Silver Slugger Award this season, but Freeman was edged by the St. Louis Cardinals’ Paul Goldschmidt.
Dansby Swanson possible alternative to Trea Turner
If the Dodgers were to miss out on Turner and not sign Correa, they reportedly could then shift their focus to Swanson. He’s widely expected to re-sign with the Atlanta Braves, but the same held true for Freeman last offseason.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
