The Los Angeles Dodgers saw Corey Seager leave the organization in free agency by signing a 10-year, $325 million contract with the Texas Rangers last winter, and may face a similar scenario with Trea Turner come this offseason.
A midseason trade brought Turner to the Dodgers in a package that also included future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer in exchange for a package headlined by Josiah Gray and Keibert Ruiz.
In no fault of his, Turner was somewhat an afterthought because of the star power that Scherzer holds. However, Turner remained under team control through the 2022 season by way of a final year being arbitration-eligible.
Both leading up to and since singing a one-year deal to avoid arbitration, Turner said he was open to discussing a contract extension with the Dodgers. However, the team never got to the point of making an offer to Turner before the 2022 regular season began, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
Turner said Friday the Dodgers’ brass approached him in recent days to tell him no extension offer was coming before the season, all but securing he will hit free agency this winter — potentially as the top available shortstop.
After signing Freddie Freeman to a six-year, $162 million contract, it was all but assured the Dodgers wouldn’t move to ink Turner to a long-term deal as well.
But by seemingly putting off contract talks until after the season, the Dodgers could find themselves in a precarious position if Turner is enticed by a more lucrative offer in free agency.
Gavin Lux has shown solid improvement this year and theoretically could return to his his natural position instead of remaining in a utility role.
Turner won the 2021 National League batting title by 16 points over former Washington Nationals teammate, Juan Soto. Turner’s play last earned him a first career All-Star Game selection and he was in the MVP race in a crowded field.
Trea Turner ranked by The Shredder
Turner was ranked the No. 2 shortstop for the 2022 season by MLB Network’s The Shredder. He placed on the list last year as well, checking in as the fifth-best player at his position.
Like most of the other rankings compiled by The Shredder for this season, the evaluation of shortstops took into account a three-year sample, with 2021 weighted more heavily. It factored in WAR and wRC+, in addition to Statcast metrics. Defense was taken into account at a more significant percentage compared to second base and third base.
Fernando Tatis Jr., who was the No. 2 ranked shortstop last season, claimed the top spot from Trevor Story for 2022.
Following Turner on the list were the Minnesota Twins’ Carlos Correa (No. 3), Xander Bogaerts (Boston Red Sox), Seager (Texas Rangers), Story (Red Sox), Bo Bichette (Toronto Blue Jays), Tim Anderson (Chicago White Sox), Francisco Lindor (New York Mets) and Wander Franco (Tampa Bay Rays).
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