As the Los Angeles Dodgers were working to acquire Max Scherzer at the trade deadline last season, there wasn’t any indication the blockbuster would expand to include Trea Turner until an agreement was reached with the Washington Nationals.
The trade sent shockwaves throughout the industry, as the prospect of the Dodgers only acquiring Scherzer already was enough to make headlines. Turner was on the COVID-19 injured list at the time of the trade, and in his first comments upon joining the Dodgers, admitted to being surprised by the deal.
“When I was with the Padres, I thought I’d play there 20 years. And when I was with the Nationals, I thought I’d play there 20 years,” Turner said at the time. “I liked the organizations I’ve been part of. I liked the people there. I would’ve loved to stay there.”
As the 28-year-old makes his first return to Nationals Park, he does so without any anger toward the Nationals franchise and having enjoyed his time with the Dodgers thus far, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
“I think everything I said before was true,” Turner said. “I thought I’d be there. But I think it is what it is. I’m not mad about it. I thought I’d be with the Padres for a long time (before they traded him in 2014), too. In the moment, based on the things, situation and what I was told and how I felt and whatnot, I thought it would last. But that’s not always the case.
“I’m really enjoying it here. I think the best things are always true and I try to be honest, and I was. I feel good here (in Los Angeles), and I’m glad everything worked out.”
In finishing out the 2021 season with the Dodgers, Turner embraced a shift over to second base and won the National League batting title. He additionally placed fifth in NL MVP voting, which was won by former Nationals teammate Bryce Harper.
That all came despite Turner playing through a finger injury in his left hand that since was revealed to have been a fracture. Turner sustained what was deemed a jammed finger during his final month with the Nationals, and missed their home series against the Dodgers.
No Trea Turner contract extension
Although the Dodgers and Turner had preliminary negotiations, the team did not extend a formal contract extension offer prior to Opening Day. Every indication is Turner will become a free agent after the 2022 season.
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