For the first several weeks of free agency the Los Angeles Dodgers were connected to the likes of Gerrit Cole, Anthony Rendon and Stephen Strasburg, and later Josh Donaldson, among others.
With Rich Hill and Hyun-Jin Ryu reaching the open market, the Dodgers’ need for starting pitching is evident. However, they’ve enjoyed a steady presence at third base over the past five seasons in Justin Turner.
The prospect of the Dodgers potentially signing Donaldson or Rendon was met with a question as to what it would entail for Turner. That was answered shortly after with reports he offered to move across to first base.
Although the nature of conversations may have been misconstrued, Turner said he would put the team first, even if it meant switching positions, via AM 570 L.A. Sports:
“I think it got blown a little out of proportion. I mean, I’m a team guy. I’ll do whatever it takes to win. Like I said, I just want to win a championship. At the end of the day it’s not my job to decide who’s coming in here and who’s going to play where. That’s Dave’s job, and it’s Andrew’s job to sign free agents and whatnot. Regardless of how I felt, I wasn’t going to have a choice. If they signed Rendon and Dave wants me to play first, I’m going to go play first. I don’t have a choice.”
Despite interest from the Dodgers, Rendon was not keen on joining the organization that he described in an unfavorable light. He instead felt signing with the L.A. Angels and living in Orange County better suited his family.
With the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals among teams pursuing Donaldson, he’s projected to sign a four-year contract that may exceed the Dodgers’ comfort level.
Thus, Turner appears poised to remain at third base, but Corey Seager may be moved off his position if the Dodgers move forward with a trade for Francisco Lindor. Particularly if the Cleveland Indians remain against receiving Seager as part of their return.
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