With only five weeks until the scheduled start of 2021 Spring Training, the Los Angeles Dodgers presumably will become more proactive with respect to their group of free agents, which includes Kiké Hernandez, Joc Pederson and Justin Turner, among others.
L.A. did just re-sign Blake Treinen to a two-year contract that includes a team option for the 2023 season. The biggest question mark still hovering over the Dodgers is at third base.
Thus far the club has been linked to potentially re-signing Turner, replacing him by signing DJ LeMahieu, or possibly pursuing a trade for an available third baseman such as Kris Bryant or Eugenio Suarez.
The two most prominent scenarios involving the Dodgers have tied them to LeMahieu and Turner. According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the Dodgers’ preference remains re-signing Turner:
Dodgers are interested in DJ LeMahieu but their first 3B choice remains their own Justin Turner. As with other top free agents, quite a gap remains. Turner reportedly seeks 4 years (via @latimessports); Dodgers so far prefer 2.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 11, 2021
As referenced, it was last reported Turner sought a four-year contract, while the club envisioned a two-year agreement. Given the slow-moving free agency this winter, Turner presumably is not going to draw a line with a long-term contract.
A more likely scenario could be re-signing on a two-year deal that includes some sort of option for a third season.
Since joining the Dodgers in 2014, Turner has hit .302/.382/.503 with 177 doubles, 116 home runs and 406 RBI in 796 games. He was an All-Star in 2017 and is the Dodgers’ all-time postseason leader in games played (72), hits (79), home runs (12), RBI (40) and total bases (135).
The last time Turner was a free agent, he re-signed with the Dodgers on a four-year, $64 million contract in December 2016.
LeMahieu frustrated with Yankees
It has widely been assumed LeMahieu would ultimately return to the New York Yankees, but to this point there’s not believed to be much progress in negotiations. As such, LeMahieu’s representatives reportedly are circling back to the Dodgers and other interested teams.
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