The Los Angeles Dodgers made the biggest splash at the MLB trade deadline this year by acquiring Max Scherzer and Trea Turner from the Washington Nationals in exchange for a package of prospects that was headlined by Keibert Ruiz and Josiah Gray.
Scherzer was the most sought-after starting pitcher on the market and bolstered a rotation that had been decimated by injuries. Turner’s fit was more curious as the club already had an All-Star shortstop on the roster in Corey Seager.
The Dodgers made it work by shifting Turner over to second base, where he found success and helped form one of the most dynamic middle infields in the league.
With Seager now a member of the Texas Rangers, Turner figures to return to his original position for the 2022 season. The club reportedly is unlikely to pursue another top free-agent shortstop despite not re-signing the 2020 World Series MVP.
Had L.A. came to terms with Seager, some teams reportedly wondered if it would lead to a Turner trade, via Jon Heyman of MLB Network:
“I’ve heard this speculation from other teams — nothing from the Dodgers — what if they do re-sign Seager? Could somebody then trade for Turner?”
Turner, 28, is entering his final year of salary arbitration before potentially becoming a free agent himself after the 2022 season. He is projected to receive a salary of just under $20 million next year, which leads all eligible players.
Turner batted .338/.385/.565 with 17 doubles, 10 home runs, 28 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 52 games for the Dodgers this past season. He led all of baseball with 195 hits, won the National League batting title and compiled a career-best 6.5 WAR.
Turner didn’t press Dodgers on shortstop
Since being traded to L.A., Turner made it clear he was willingly to do whatever was asked. Even as it became possible Seager would leave the franchise in free agency, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Turner did not pressure the club by discussing a move back to shortstop.
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