True Blue LA - Dodgers sign Justin Turner to 2-year, $34 million contractWhere The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2021-02-22T08:55:40-08:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/220487382021-02-22T08:55:40-08:002021-02-22T08:55:40-08:00Podcast: Justin Turner is back
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<figcaption>Justin Turner, after his 2-year, $34 million contract became official on February 19, 2021. From Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona.</figcaption>
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<p>Getting the band back together</p> <p id="s9RL4G">Justin Turner has extended his run in Los Angeles, or as he put it, “I’m back in Dodger blue like I was supposed to be,” after finalizing his two-year, $34 million contract on Friday.</p>
<p id="7jWDVm">The two-year deal for Turner, along with the structure of Trevor Bauer’s unique contract, plus recent arbitration-avoiding pacts with Walker Buehler and Austin Barnes, the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> set themselves up for essentially a two-year window, with only a small yet crucial number of decisions to be made after the 2021 season.</p>
<p id="OfoShc">On this episode we also talk about the stunning 14-year contract for Fernando Tatis Jr. and how the Padres have set themselves up very nicely to compete with the Dodgers for the next few years. Plus we talk competitive balance tax, recap several of our offseason wagers, and perhaps most importantly, build our ideal breakfasts.</p>
<div id="cZp4ra"><iframe src="https://player.megaphone.fm/VMP4485481299" style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 200px;" allowfullscreen="" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div>
<p id="9W12oH">Please send all of your questions to tblapodcast@gmail.com, or tweet us at <a href="https://twitter.com/ericstephen">@ericstephen</a> or <a href="http://www.twitter.com/jacobburch">@jacobburch</a>. Thanks as always to producer Brian Salvatore for his yeoman’s work to make us sound presentable.</p>
<h3 id="mczSR1">Dodgers rewind</h3>
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<img alt="Brooklyn Dodgers" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2hxvHb6IRNRglBDfkH4m6RqzFKE=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22316126/859874212.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="cYDxmN">With Turner third in Dodgers history in starts at third base and fourth in the franchise in games at the position, we look back at Billy Cox, whose 663 games and 612 starts at the hot corner from 1948-54 with Brooklyn both rank fifth in team history.</p>
<p id="0LDb9K">Cox was a shortstop in Pittsburgh but with Pee Wee Reese entrenched at the position in Brooklyn, Cox shifted to third base, where his defense was roundly praised. After the sure-handed defender was traded away in December 1954, team owner Walter O’Malley said, “We regard Cox as the greatest glove man we ever had,” <a href="https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/billy-cox/">per Claire Hall’s SABR bio of Cox</a>.</p>
<p id="zFFnab">Cox was traded to the Dodgers in 1947 along with Preacher Roe, and the pair were sent away in the same trade seven years later, this time to Baltimore, the latter a move that created roster space for the Dodgers to sign bonus baby Sandy Koufax one day later.</p>
<p id="4x7Vah">Cox played in three <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/world-series">World Series</a> for the Dodgers (1949, 1952, 1953), hitting .302/.351/.453 in 15 games.</p>
<h3 id="5tap9s">Podcast links</h3>
<p id="BpBweR"><a href="https://feeds.megaphone.fm/true-blue-la">RSS feed</a></p>
<p id="tWc86y"><a href="https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/true-blue-la?selected=VMP4485481299">Episode link</a> (time: 1:22:42)</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2021/2/22/22291939/justin-turner-dodgers-return-podcastEric StephenJacob Burch2021-02-19T13:01:24-08:002021-02-19T13:01:24-08:00Justin Turner ‘back in Dodger blue like I was supposed to be’
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<img alt="MLB: Miami Marlins at Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1P6FIXef-j01r6O5yNjjce1ot-g=/0x0:2480x1653/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68844940/usa_today_13078895.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>“It’s a perfect fit,” says Dodgers manager Dave Roberts</p> <p id="frUmC3">Justin Turner’s return to the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> is now official, with the team announcing his two-year, $34 million contract on Friday. The deal includes a club option for 2023 as well.</p>
<p id="yPVuTK">“It’s a perfect fit. It makes sense. He’s comfortable, and he’s flourished here. The fanbase and organization adores him, and it’s mutual,” manager Dave Roberts said Friday on a conference call. “For this to finally get done, I know it’s a big relief for him. Now we can go and get to work.”</p>
<p id="PN0GFp">Turner himself <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/2/13/22203100/justin-turner-contract-dodgers">announced his return to the Dodgers on Feb. 13</a>, on his Twitter and Instagram accounts. On Friday, from Camelback Ranch, Turner described his discussions with other teams in free agency.</p>
<p id="BsAo30">“It was flattering to have been courted like that from other teams. Other teams that are competitive, other teams that are trying to make a big splash,” Turner said. “But at the end of the day it all worked out like it was supposed to, and I’m back in Dodger blue like I was supposed to be.”</p>
<p id="KjZXjx">To make room for Turner on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers placed pitcher Caleb Ferguson, who <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2020/9/16/21440573/caleb-ferguson-tommy-john-surgery-ulnar-collateral-ligament-tear-left-elbow-dodgers">had Tommy John surgery on September</a>, on the 60-day injured list.</p>
<aside id="Uo9xMD"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Dodgers 2020-2021 offseason transaction list","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2020/11/2/21547184/dodgers-transactions-2020-2021-offseason"}]}'></div></aside><p id="4ucbCT">Per <a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-baseball-justin-turner-coronavirus-pandemic-los-angeles-dodgers-4eb4390275f506d48fb1803f32ffa65d">the Associated Press</a>, plus <a href="https://twitter.com/BNightengale/status/1362825832998129666">Bob Nightengale of USA Today</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1362825877982220290">Jon Heyman</a>, here is the breakdown of Turner’s deal:</p>
<p id="pX9Yj2">He gets an $8 million signing bonus, payable in four installments of $2 million each, on July 1, 2021, then each January 15 from 2024-26.</p>
<p id="uNd0dq"><strong>2021</strong>: $8 million<br><strong>2022</strong>: $16 million<br><strong>2023</strong>: $16 million option ($2 buyout)</p>
<p id="Al1DJS">Turner’s 2023 option can move from a club option to a vesting option if he finishes in the top 15 of MVP voting in 2022. If Turner is in the top 10 of MVP voting in 2022, his 2023 option vests at $20 million. If he finishes between 11th and 15th, and with at least 10 total points, Turner’s option will vest at $17.5 million. </p>
<p id="mWea3V">Turner finished <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2016/11/17/13665472/corey-seager-mvp-vote-dodgers">ninth in NL MVP voting in 2016</a>, and <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2017/11/16/16652366/justin-turner-cody-bellinger-national-league-mvp-voting-dodgers-2017-bbwaa">eighth in 2017</a>. In 2018 he was 14th, <a href="https://bbwaa.com/18-nl-mvp/">totaling exactly 10 points</a> with a seventh-place vote, a ninth-place vote and four 10th-place votes.</p>
<p id="RXZJ9E">At a maximum, the total value of the contract would be $52 million over three seasons.</p>
<p id="YVXbBU">For competitive balance tax purposes, Turner’s total $34 million guarantee over two years brings an average annual value of $17 million, perhaps discounted a bit because of the deferred signing bonus, though I haven’t yet seen that amount.</p>
<p id="3D5ysM">Turner just completed a four-year, $64 million contract, though his 2020 salary of $19 million was pro-rated to $7.04 million in the pandemic-truncated season.</p>
<p id="elooCP">Mookie Betts and Trevor Bauer are the only Dodgers players under contract for 2023, though Bauer can opt out of his contract after both the 2021 or 2022 seasons. Turner is one of four players with options for 2023 — Max Muncy, Blake Treinen, and Turner have club options, and A.J. Pollock has a player option that season.</p>
<p id="viaIR9">With Turner now signed, they have 20 players under contract for 2021 for a total of just under $223 million. Add in assumptions for the rest of the 40-man roster (majors and minors) plus team benefits, the Dodgers’ payroll for competitive balance tax purposes is roughly $255 million. Should the Dodgers end the season with a CBT payroll over $250 million, their tax bill will be $10.4 million plus 62.5 percent of everything over $250 million, in addition to seeing their first draft pick in 2022 drop by 10 slots and a $500,000 reduction in their bonus pool for the 2022-23 international signing period.</p>
<p id="WcnSX4">“We run our payroll, looking at it every three, four, or five years, not at any one moment in time,” <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/2/11/22279016/dodgers-payroll-limits-trevor-bauer-justin-turner-andrew-friedman">Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said on February 11</a>. “Past moves have created some flexibility for things that will happen in the future. For us it’s about doing everything we can to go out and defend our title.”</p>
<p id="0M9wjq">Friedman reiterated that on Friday from Camelback Ranch.</p>
<p id="dNVhZ5">“The moves and things we’ve done the last three years gave us a little more flexibility right now,” he said. “We know there are some added costs associated with it, which is not ideal, and it is a cost. But we feel like with where we are and the team we have, the reward outweighs that.”</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2021/2/19/22254645/justin-turner-contract-details-dodgers-34-millionEric Stephen2021-02-14T06:11:00-08:002021-02-14T06:11:00-08:00Have the Dodgers signed Justin Turner yet?
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<img alt="World Series - Tampa Bay Rays v Los Angeles Dodgers - Game Six" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/T0dyBoSOMJSNL90X6RMod8Cthbo=/0x0:3620x2413/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68753725/1282867587.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The offseason question we’re all waiting on</p> <p id="xVZzND"><a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/2/13/22203100/justin-turner-contract-dodgers">Yes</a>.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2021/2/1/22261112/justin-turner-watch-dodgersEric Stephen2021-02-14T05:09:00-08:002021-02-14T05:09:00-08:00Despite turnover, Dodgers position player stability continues
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<img alt="National League Championship Series Game 6: Atlanta Braves v. Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7Mo5TJBEDZYE1-dofRA9Id6WDFk=/0x0:5284x3523/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68817137/1229134781.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Cooper Neill/MLB Photos via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>LA, for the most part, is bringing the band back together on offense</p> <p id="PkcVOM">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> roster <em>feels</em> like it is different this year, but upon further inspection the position player turnover is really just par for the course.</p>
<p id="VJFJPo">Feelings of loss are totally understandable, since they are emotional in nature. Joc Pederson <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/1/29/22229967/joc-pederson-contract-cubs">signed with the Cubs</a>, and Kiké Hernández <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/1/22/22227641/kike-hernandez-contract-red-sox">signed with the Red Sox</a>, after both were integral parts of six seasons in Los Angeles. Those two rank second and (tied for) third, respectively, in postseason games played in Dodgers history, which on one hand is a product of the time and in another represents their immense contributions and standing on the team.</p>
<p id="CG0x8H">However, playing time for both was waning recently, ranking eighth and ninth on the 2020 Dodgers in plate appearances. With <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/2/13/22203100/justin-turner-contract-dodgers">the return of Justin Turner</a>, 14 of the 16 Dodgers who batted last season are back this year, which makes this one of the most relatively stable offseasons in recent memory.</p>
<p id="Us0sdn">We are entering the seventh season Andrew Friedman leading the Dodgers front office, and for position players I looked at players with at least 100 plate appearances in each of the previous six years, and who was back the next year. This offseason looks more like the norm.</p>
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<p id="dDk5QC">The percentage of returning plate appearances isn’t <em>exact</em>. I only counted the PA from players who batted at least 100 times (or, in the case of 2020, pro-rated to 37 times). Heading into 2021, the Dodgers have their second-highest percentage of returning position-player PA of Friedman’s tenure, though five of the six offseasons were similar.</p>
<p id="YmAXpp">The outlier was the 2018-19 offseason. That saw the Dodgers trade Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig, and Chase Utley retired, in addition to Yasmani Grandal, Manny Machado, and Brian Dozier leaving in free agency (plus Logan Forsythe, who was traded in July for Dozier, accumulated 211 PA as a Dodger in 2018). Only eight of 15 players with 100 PA in 2018 were back in 2019, and just 59 percent of the previous year’s plate appearances returned.</p>
<p id="PEc0vZ"><em>That</em> was the one Dodgers offseason of late with a ton of position-player turnover. This year is more normal, even if it doesn’t quite feel like it.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2021/2/14/22257426/dodgers-roster-turnover-position-players-justin-turnerEric Stephen2021-02-13T17:46:11-08:002021-02-13T17:46:11-08:00Justin Turner is back with the Dodgers
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<img alt="World Series - Los Angeles Dodgers v Tampa Bay Rays - Game Three" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1v3e8BECQFaXe0ppo-VC46fwHKI=/0x0:4465x2977/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68816071/1281897280.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>“#LA #HereToStay” Turner said on Instagram</p> <p id="S3SYqC">Third baseman Justin Turner will be back with the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>, extending the run of one of the most popular and productive players in franchise history. </p>
<p id="j1wz4p">The news was broken by Turner.</p>
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</div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLQRkXyD6kY/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Justin Turner (@redturn2)</a></p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lettts gooo run it back <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Dodgers</a> fans!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/vaynersports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@vaynersports</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/vaynerbaseball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@vaynerbaseball</a> <a href="https://t.co/fRY0pvyWMx">pic.twitter.com/fRY0pvyWMx</a></p>— Justin Turner (@redturn2) <a href="https://twitter.com/redturn2/status/1360765052081479680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2021</a>
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<p id="UvKhVf">The Dodgers are already <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/2/5/22268827/trevor-bauer-contract-dodgers-competitive-balance-tax">well into the upper tier of competitive balance tax penalties for 2021</a>, especially <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/2/11/22279016/dodgers-payroll-limits-trevor-bauer-justin-turner-andrew-friedman">after signing Trevor Bauer</a>. But president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said that spending wouldn’t keep them from adding other players.</p>
<p id="AP2qbG">“I think we’re committed to doing everything we can to put together the best roster that we can,” <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/2/11/22279016/dodgers-payroll-limits-trevor-bauer-justin-turner-andrew-friedman">Friedman said on Thursday</a>. “It’s pretty well documented what we think of JT, what he’s meant to this organization. But as far as how that’s gonna play out, we will see.”</p>
<p id="9jFI3J">Turner’s deal is for two years and $34 million, including a team option for 2023, <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1360773969067057152">per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic</a>. Jeff Passan at ESPN <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/1360768827928289280">reported earlier that Turner’s contract was “more than $30 million.”</a></p>
<p id="Xu4XG2">Turner has been with the Dodgers since 2014, originally joining them on a minor league deal after getting non-tendered by the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a>. He just completed a four-year contract that was set to pay him $64 million, though the pandemic-shortened 2020 season saw his $19 million salary pro-rated to $7.04 million.</p>
<p id="y6T1RL">Turner’s 631 starts at third base with the Dodgers is the third-most in franchise history, trailing only Ron Cey and Adrián Beltré.</p>
<p id="f9wDvo">“He’s one of the Dodger greats, he really is,” <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2020/12/17/22187755/dave-roberts-justin-turner-free-agency-david-price-dodgers-offseason">manager Dave Roberts said on December 17</a>. “His body of work is really special, unique, but it’s a two-way deal. It’s the organization, the Dodgers, but it’s also Justin and his family, they’ve got to make a decision. But selfishly, I’ll take him for as long as I can have him.”</p>
<p id="Ov3BH3">Roberts reiterated his wish for Turner to return in <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBNetworkRadio/status/1354534647821045762">an interview with MLB Network Radio on Jan. 27</a>. “I’m one of his biggest advocates, and what he does for me and the ball club speaks for itself,” Roberts said. “But both sides have kind of got to work things out to make a deal.”</p>
<div class="c-float-right"><div id="8eApew"><div data-anthem-component="table:10342169"></div></div></div>
<p id="SCivNJ">The free agent market has been exceptionally slow this offseason, with only 17 hitters signing multi-year contracts to date. Turner was <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1337101659965689859">rumored to receive interest earlier this winter from the Blue Jays</a>, whose big-ticket signing this winter was outfielder George Springer for a reported six years and $150 million, in addition to one year and $18 million for infielder Marcus Semien.</p>
<p id="ebTj9R">Milwaukee also <a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/01/brewers-among-teams-showing-interest-in-justin-turner.html">reportedly showed interest</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ByRobertMurray/status/1357510750533799936">in Turner</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1360389087878930434">at various points</a> <a href="https://fansided.com/2021/02/12/brewers-justin-turner-dodgers-marcell-ozuna/">throughout the winter</a>. </p>
<p id="5nAlzy">Turner at times this offseason was rumored to be seeking either a three-year deal (<a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/12/sports/what-lies-ahead-dave-dombrowski-with-phillies/">per Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe in December</a>) or a four-year deal (<a href="https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2021-01-04/dodgers-justin-turner-dj-lemahieu-kris-bryant-eugenio-suarez">per Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times in January</a>).</p>
<p id="dSfhJE">Turner hit .307/.400/.460 in 42 games during the regular season in 2020, with a 140 wRC+ that was right in line with his 141 wRC+ in seven years since joining the Dodgers. Turner hit .250/.333/.471 during the postseason last year, including .320/.346/.720 in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/world-series">World Series</a>. He started all 18 postseason games (17 at third base, once at designated hitter). </p>
<p id="RSSwzO">Turner was removed from Game 6 of the World Series in the eighth inning after a positive COVID-19 test. He then <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2020/10/28/21538441/justin-turner-positive-test-coronavirus-dodgers-celebration-world-series">broke protocol to celebrate the championship with his teammates</a>, for which he was initially admonished by commissioner Rob Manfred. But after an apology from Turner and an admission of culpability by MLB, <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2020/11/6/21550822/mlb-justin-turner-investigation-world-series-celebration-covid-19">Turner was not disciplined for the incident</a>.</p>
<p id="RNDBFw">What the Dodgers are getting in Turner is an incredibly productive hitter — <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=150&type=8&season=2020&month=0&season1=2020&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2020-01-01&enddate=2020-12-31&sort=17,d&page=2_30">37th in wRC+ among 203 major league hitters with 150 plate appearances in 2020</a>, <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=8&season=2020&month=0&season1=2017&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2017-01-01&enddate=2020-12-31&sort=17,d">10th in the last four seasons</a> — but also someone who is now 36 years old and has played more than 135 games in a season once in his career (151 games, in 2016). Since the start of the 2017 season, Turner has started 70 percent of Dodgers games, which works out to 113 starts in a 162-game season. </p>
<p id="G4tXBM">In other words, there should still be ample playing time at third base for Edwin Ríos, who has 12 home runs and a .634 slugging percentage in his 60 major league games.</p>
<p id="JUDXF2">With Turner, Joc Pederson, and Kiké Hernández all free agents this winter, the Dodgers’ position player depth took a hit. Bringing back Turner, the best hitter of the bunch and a leader in the clubhouse, was a necessary move.</p>
<p id="UfPA9O">Once Turner’s deal is finalized, the Dodgers will need to make a corresponding transaction since their 40-man roster is currently full.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2021/2/13/22203100/justin-turner-contract-dodgersEric Stephen2021-02-11T17:42:23-08:002021-02-11T17:42:23-08:00The Dodgers signing Trevor Bauer was an exercise in excess
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<img alt="Trevor Bauer at his introductory press conference with the Dodgers on February 11, 2021." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/OKFotFLabx8MnoHbD4NKeskFpDI=/0x0:4096x2731/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68807211/trevor_bauer_jon_soohoo_021121.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption><em>Photo credit: </em><a class="ql-link" href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1360000211712573443" target="_blank"><em>Jon SooHoo | LA Dodgers</em></a></figcaption>
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<p>Andrew Friedman on adding Bauer: “Because of the talent we had, it was a really high bar to crack.”</p> <p id="Zl8odm">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> introduced prized free agent acquisition Trevor Bauer at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, a little less than one week removed from when they were skeptical this press conference would even happen.</p>
<p id="EyHzTk">“I went to bed Thursday night really bummed, and thinking it wasn’t going to work out,” said Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, referring to last week’s courting of the 2020 National League Cy Young Award winner.</p>
<p id="VuwCKe">But despite <a href="https://twitter.com/BNightengale/status/1357484131400048642">a certain tweet’s claim on Feb. 4</a>, Bauer and the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> did <em>not</em> have a deal. Bauer described waking up at 6 a.m. Friday to calls from his agents, and sought counsel from both his parents — his mom, who was with him, and his dad at home in Southern California. Ultimately, Bauer decided on the Dodgers, whose three-year, $102 million contract offered the two highest single-season salaries in major league history — $40 million in 2021, $45 million in 2022 — and the flexibility of having opt-out clauses after each of the first two years.</p>
<p id="7xoGqp">“I don’t want to be a player that signs a long-term deal and towards the end is resented either by the fan base, by the organization or on my end for having my performance slip below what my contract dictates,” Bauer said. “So I wanted something with flexibility. I wanted something that worked for me and for the organization.</p>
<p id="RNxBs1">“It wasn’t about the money. For me. It’s about being a part of something that’s bigger than myself, being a part of an organization that can win. I want to win a <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/world-series">World Series</a>. I’ve come in second, both in college [at <a href="https://www.bruinsnation.com">UCLA</a>, in 2010] and in the big leagues [in Cleveland, in 2016]. I’m tired of it. I want to come in first.”</p>
<p id="XHhNst">The Dodgers finished first on the field in 2020, winning their first World Series in 32 years. They’ll start this year first, too, both in expectations and in payroll. </p>
<p id="wvvbru">“Our ownership group, Mark Walter, put some wind behind the sails and said, ‘Let’s go. Get this done,’” Friedman said. “Fortunately, it wasn’t too late, and we were able to come to this outcome. I couldn’t be more excited about it.”</p>
<p id="Azd1xr">Adding Bauer to the mix <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/2/5/22268827/trevor-bauer-contract-dodgers-competitive-balance-tax">vaults the Dodgers into the upper echelon of competitive balance tax penalties for 2021</a>. Currently the CBT payroll is right around $240 million. Anything over $250 million would incur a 62.5-percent penalty and see the Dodgers’ 2021 first-round draft pick drop 10 slots.</p>
<p id="xZVXnl">To date, <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2020/11/2/21547184/dodgers-transactions-2020-2021-offseason">none of the Dodgers’ offseason moves have involved offense</a>. They’ve stated numerous times this offseason <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2020/12/17/22187755/dave-roberts-justin-turner-free-agency-david-price-dodgers-offseason">their desire to add a right-handed bat to their lineup</a>. Justin Turner <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/2/1/22261112/justin-turner-watch-dodgers">is still available</a>, and fits that bill to a tee. Friedman said the Dodgers would not be limited when it comes to adding more talent.</p>
<p id="v3o7dh">“I think we’re committed to doing everything we can to put together the best roster that we can,” Friedman said. “Obviously, it’s difficult for me to comment on a specific free agent, but I think it’s pretty well documented, what we think of JT, what he’s meant to this organization.”</p>
<p id="9bqCAC">Even with the addition of Bauer, the Dodgers still have long-term payroll flexibility. They only have three players signed to guaranteed contracts for a total of $59 million in 2023, and two of those (Bauer and A.J. Pollock) are player options. There will be several players going through the salary arbitration process by then, like Cody Bellinger and Walker Buehler, but it’s not an unwieldy payroll by any means.</p>
<p id="m8FqOS">This is an ownership group that paid $150 million in competitive balance tax in their first five full seasons (2013-17), and had a payroll average just over $200 million in the last three years despite falling under the threshold. That reset the Dodgers’ tax rate for this year, which starts at 20 percent, rather than the 50 percent a third-time-repeating tax payer would face.</p>
<p id="OyMxzS">“I think it’s difficult at any one moment in time to look at our payroll, and to deduce too much from it,” Friedman explained. “It is a three- to five-year kind of process that we look at, the ebbs and flows of that. But the thing that has been constant throughout is winning. So that’s where our mindset still is, and we’ll see how that plays out.”</p>
<p id="MjzOUt">Acquiring Bauer was an exercise in excess for the Dodgers, who already had six capable major league starting pitchers before landing the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner. But you need a lot of starting pitchers to get through a 162-game season, especially coming off a shortened 60-game season in which nobody in MLB reached triple digits in innings pitched, even counting the postseason.</p>
<p id="OgjAke">From 2016-19, the last four full seasons, the Dodgers averaged 8.5 pitchers starting at least five games for them.</p>
<p id="NNZhnM">As volatile as Bauer’s performance on the field has been, with only two of his seven full seasons ending with an ERA under 4.00, what he does provide is some certainty with his health, having never suffered an arm injury thus far in his career. Since the start of 2016, Bauer is <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2020&month=0&season1=2016&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2016-01-01&enddate=2020-12-31&sort=8,d">sixth in the majors in innings pitched</a>, and 10th in games started.</p>
<p id="wgK1io">“His ability to take the ball every turn is really impactful. For us as we are looking to navigate the unknown, and all that comes with that, adding to our pitching depth was something that was important to us,” Friedman said. “That being said, because of the talent we had, it was a really high bar to crack to get in there. There were very few players that kind of fit into that, which is why Trevor was kind of on our radar throughout the winter.”</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2021/2/11/22279016/dodgers-payroll-limits-trevor-bauer-justin-turner-andrew-friedmanEric Stephen2021-02-10T05:11:00-08:002021-02-10T05:11:00-08:00Looking at third base options for the Dodgers
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<img alt="Los Angeles Angels v Oakland Athletics" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/adzwoiTxFTEifccumvpgTho-Q3c=/194x0:3344x2100/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68797382/1271030779.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Dodgers still don’t have a starting third baseman for 2021</p> <p id="PZZgGK">It’s February 10, and the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> <em>still</em> haven’t signed Justin Turner. Players will be reporting to their spring training facilities in a week, and Turner has yet to sign with a team. Although he’s been attached to teams such as the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> and <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> as of late, every tweet ends the same way. “The Dodgers are still expected to sign Justin Turner”. </p>
<p id="j3vhRf">But, why haven’t they? </p>
<p id="Wr4vR7">I still lean towards thinking Turner and LA reach some sort of deal, but my confidence in it shrinks with each passing day. So, what happens if the Dodgers don’t bring back Turner? </p>
<h3 id="LULYw6">Platoon of Max Muncy and Edwin Rios </h3>
<p id="lE0kSQ">Without Turner, and without making a move, this is the option the Dodgers would be looking at. I’m sure Chris Taylor and Zach McKinstry might add in a start every now and then, but the bulk of time spent at third base would likely be split between Muncy and Rios. Muncy has the most experience, with 106 big-league games there under his belt. However, if you’ve watched the same games I’ve watched, you’d know that Muncy at third full-time is not an ideal option. </p>
<p id="nCCfzi">Muncy has 19 errors in his time there, an average of one error every five games and an average of 29 errors over the course of a 162-game season. It’s great that Muncy has the ability to start there if needed for a game or two, but I don’t think the Dodgers would be comfortable putting him there for a good chunk of games. </p>
<p id="Oj79td">The other option is Rios. He only has 26 career big-league games playing third and has only started there 16 times. Plus, he has a fielding percentage of 92.3 percent, as he has three errors in 39 chances at third. </p>
<p id="lAuiP4">Again, both Muncy and Rios are capable of playing third if needed to give Turner rest. But over the course of a 162-game season? I don’t think that’s a path the Dodgers would want to go down. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="bLwKf8">
<h3 id="yZ06eD">Matt Chapman </h3>
<p id="XieUJV">If the Dodgers were to somehow acquire Matt Chapman from the Athletics, they would have the greatest lineup in the history of the franchise, no questions asked. Chapman is one of the best third basemen in all of baseball, and he’s arguably the best defensively. </p>
<p id="I2hG3R">Not only did he take home the Gold Glove Award in 2018 and 2019, he also took home the Platinum Award, which goes to the best defensive player in each league. On top of his incredible glove, he brings an amazing bat. Over his last three seasons, Chapman has hit 70 home runs with 184 RBI and 87 doubles. He’s also slugging .510 with an OPS of .851. He finished top seven in MVP voting in 2018 and 2019. </p>
<p id="BlPNvR">Chapman appeared in only 37 games last season, missing more than <sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> of the year. However, he still hit 10 home runs and had an OPS of above .800. </p>
<p id="rROAyf">Just his production alone will make him cost a lot. However, it is his contract that might make him untouchable for Oakland. He’s set to make just over $6,000,000 million this season and will become an unrestricted free-agent in 2024. Not only is he cheap, you’ll have control over him for years at an affordable price. </p>
<p id="l9NtE5">Will Oakland trade him? It’s hard to believe they would. They’re still a competitive team and will likely be fighting for a playoff spot. However, we know that they don’t like paying their players whatsoever. Chapman is going to get pricier each season, and there’s a chance this could be the highest his value ever is. So, what would a deal potentially look like? </p>
<p id="P4T4Hw">Well, you’d assume it would have to include Gavin Lux, one of LA’s top young pieces. In addition, one of LA’s top young arms would likely be dealt as well, whether that be Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin or Josiah Gray. My guess is that it would require at least one more top 10 prospect, and then maybe a player with big-league experience. It would cost a lot for sure, but to get a player of Chapman’s caliber with years of an affordable contract, it certainly would be worth it. </p>
<p id="7ClcKd">There’s a very likely chance Friedman hasn’t even considered Chapman. And even if he has, there’s a likely chance Oakland picked up the phone, listened for a minute, and then hung up. </p>
<p id="pPQ1hU">Still, how exciting of a move would that be?</p>
<h3 id="FpaXr1">Kris Bryant</h3>
<p id="JcZEu9">This is a name that has seems to have been attached to the Dodgers all offseason. With the exception of 2020, Bryant has been fantastic throughout his major-league career. Just in 2019, he was an All-Star who hit 31 homers with 35 doubles and had an OPS above .900. However, he looked bad in 2020. </p>
<p id="TDoUPS">He had career-lows across the board, and there were a lot of concerns over his swing moving forward. There was a decline, but you do have to remember, it was only a 34-game sample size. Bryant is 29 years old, is under contract for only one year and has the potential to return to his All-Star form. </p>
<p id="HHAPgr">In addition to his bat returning, his versatility with the glove would be an added bonus. He’s an average third baseman with the glove, nothing spectacular. However, his ability to play third base, first base and the outfield could be beneficial for LA, as we’ve seen them maximize versatile players over the years. </p>
<p id="CMIxEf">So, if the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> would be willing to part with Bryant, what would his cost be? It definitely won’t take as much as it would for Chapman, as Bryant has only one year remaining on his contract. </p>
<p id="7Ngz08">Keibert Ruiz could headline the package, as the Cubs could use a young catcher once Wilson Contreras leaves. In addition, a prospect or two in the top 15-20 should be enough to get a deal done. </p>
<p id="LfuCEm">Just like Chapman, not sure how much of a chance there is for a deal to happen. You’d think if the Cubs were to deal Bryant, they would have done it by now with spring training starting in a week. However, anything can happen. </p>
<h3 id="JugIle">Eugenio Suarez </h3>
<p id="ww8nB3">Another name that we’ve heard a few times this offseason is Eugenio Suarez of the <a href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Cincinnati Reds</a>. Suarez, who like Bryant is 29 years old, is under a very affordable contract. He has at least four years left on his deal. He’ll earn $10.7 million in 2021 and $11.2 million each of the next three seasons before a $15-million team option for 2025. So pretty much, the Dodgers could have control over him for the foreseeable future. </p>
<p id="ygSMMH">With Kody Hoese still a few years away, Suarez would be the perfect option until he’s ready. Plus, with the DH likely coming to the NL next season, he could also slide into that spot as he’s one of the best power hitters in all of baseball. </p>
<p id="fSBOg9">His 124 home runs since 2017 are tied for the fourth most in the majors. He hit 49 in 2019 and was on pace for about 43 homers over a full season in 2020. Oh, even better, he’s a right-handed bat! His addition to the lineup would certainly be welcoming. </p>
<p id="c5V2Rh">His price won’t be as high as Chapman’s, but it could potentially cost more than Bryant, solely due to his team-friendly contract. LA could likely avoid parting with one of their top prospects, but it certainly would cost a number of top 15 guys potentially, plus maybe some big-league talent as well. </p>
<p id="ose6Z1">The Reds are in a tough spot, as they likely can still contend for a Wild Card spot next season. Should they just slowly tear it down and save money and build the farm, or hold onto their top assets? Good luck, Cincy. </p>
<h3 id="5bxDGx">Other names </h3>
<ul>
<li id="80SMWn">
<em><strong>Jose Ramirez </strong></em>— This one would be a dream come true. However, <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F2371326%2F2021%2F02%2F06%2Frosenthal-nolan-arenado-trade-talk%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.truebluela.com%2F2021%2F2%2F10%2F22275165%2Flos-angeles-dodgers-justin-turner-matt-chapman-mlb-news-rumors-kris-bryant-eugenio-suarez" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Cleveland is reportedly is not interested in moving him. </a>The Indians still think they can compete in 2021. </li>
<li id="eY4ear">
<em><strong>Brian Anderson </strong></em><em>—</em><em><strong> </strong></em>Not a splashy name, but Anderson has been very productive for the Marlins over the last three seasons. He finished fourth in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2018, and has 42 homers, 74 doubles and an OPS of .785 over his last three seasons. He’s set to make $3,800,000 this year and won’t be an unrestricted free-agent until 2024. </li>
</ul>
https://www.truebluela.com/2021/2/10/22275165/los-angeles-dodgers-justin-turner-matt-chapman-mlb-news-rumors-kris-bryant-eugenio-suarezBlake Harris2020-12-17T17:48:11-08:002020-12-17T17:48:11-08:00Dave Roberts on Justin Turner: ‘I’ll take him for as long as I can have him’
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<img alt="National League Championship Series Game 6: Atlanta Braves v. Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Up8dfhokOKY5Ifg8LO7W7RQ-XIg=/0x0:5322x3548/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68545629/1229132232.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Cooper Neill/MLB Photos via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Turner, a free agent, is “one of the Dodger greats,” says Roberts</p> <p id="uhYQq6">Aside from pitcher Jimmy Nelson returning on a minor league contract, none of the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> free agents have signed anywhere yet. Manager Dave Roberts made one thing clear on Thursday: if it were up to him, he’d like third baseman Justin Turner to return.</p>
<p id="Pey0bL">“He’s one of the Dodger greats, he really is,” Roberts said in a conference call with reporters on Thursday. “His body of work is really special, unique, but it’s a two-way deal. It’s the organization, the Dodgers, but it’s also Justin and his family, they’ve got to make a decision. But selfishly, I’ll take him for as long as I can have him.”</p>
<p id="oxwzQZ">Turner has been one of the best hitters in baseball since joining the Dodgers in 2014, hitting .302/.382/.503, a 141 wRC+ with 116 home runs and 177 doubles in seven seasons. He’s only had one season under a 130 wRC+ since joining Los Angeles (it was 123 in 2016, when he hit 27 home runs). Turner also turned 36 in November, which makes a long-term contract less likely.</p>
<p id="xsVArg">Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe reported last week that <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/12/sports/what-lies-ahead-dave-dombrowski-with-phillies/">Turner was seeking a three-year deal</a>. The Blue Jays have reported interest in Turner, per both <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F2218327%2F2020%2F11%2F23%2Frosenthal-reds-open-to-trading-sonny-gray-possible-suitors-for-dj-lemahieu%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.truebluela.com%2F2020%2F12%2F17%2F22187755%2Fdave-roberts-justin-turner-free-agency-david-price-dodgers-offseason" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Ken Rosenthal at The Athletic</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1337101659965689859">Jon Heyman</a>, though seemingly every report on Turner notes that his most likely destination is a return to Los Angeles. </p>
<p id="EvNxfR">In November, <a href="https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2020-11-20/justin-turner-mlb-free-agents-dodgers-nolan-arenado">Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times wrote</a>, “Chances are, interested teams won’t offer a deal with more than two guaranteed years.” Given that Turner hasn’t signed anywhere yet suggests that has proven true to date.</p>
<p id="JYCZ3y">Roberts on Thursday said Turner and his wife Kourtney are traveling now, and when he last spoke to Turner, on December 4, they did not discuss Turner’s free agency.</p>
<p id="UB82kr">“I just really feel that’s a decision for him and his wife,” Roberts said. “He’s going to kick the tires on whatever opportunities present themselves, but you know how much I value him as a person and as a player.”</p>
<p id="SQJm0J">This echoes what Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman <a href="https://www.ocregister.com/2020/12/09/justin-turner-kenley-jansen-are-pivotal-figures-in-dodgers-offseason-again/">told Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register last week</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p id="T4PAwn"><em>“He has put himself in this position to be a free agent and go through it and figure out what is best for him and Kourtney (Turner’s wife). We respect that. It’s hard to speculate on looking forward. … But obviously, he was a big part of our success in 2020 and he’s the type of person and player that I think is easy for a team to bet on.”</em></p></blockquote>
<h3 id="UghxAM">Notes</h3>
<p id="rIuctF">All 30 MLB managers this week held Zoom conference calls, akin to what would have happened at the winter meetings, which were canceled this year. That was the backdrop for Roberts’ media session on Thursday. Here are some other highlights from his half-hour:</p>
<p id="q7LwzZ">Roberts said a right-handed bat and relief pitching was on the Dodgers’ to-do list this offseason. Turner would satisfy the former, and for the latter, Roberts said, “We lost some leverage guys to free agency, so to backfill I think would be great.” Current free agents Blake Treinen, Pedro Baez, and Jake McGee accounted for 30 percent of Dodgers batters faced in the seventh and eighth innings in 2020.</p>
<p id="uMnraj">Cody Bellinger, who had surgery to repair his dislocated right shoulder, is ahead of schedule and rehabbing at Camelback Ranch. “What that means, I don’t know,” Roberts said. “For him to be ready to be somewhat active at the start of spring training, that’s kind of the hope.</p>
<p id="UeRwW7">Asked if he was 100-percent sure David Price would return to pitch in 2021, Roberts said he didn’t know. “David is very in tune with what’s going on. He’s very intelligent,” Roberts said. “I just love being around him, and I know we’re better when he’s with us. But as things become more clear, David will make a choice for him and his family.”</p>
<p id="k4GMyI">That last part is key, considering that it is still unknown what protocols MLB players and staffs will be subject to once the season starts, and/or how widespread a vaccine is available by then. Price, who has two years and $64 million remaining on his contract, has <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F2052194%2F2020%2F09%2F09%2Frosenthal-david-price-others-who-opted-out-are-in-an-unfamiliar-spot-this-year%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.truebluela.com%2F2020%2F12%2F17%2F22187755%2Fdave-roberts-justin-turner-free-agency-david-price-dodgers-offseason" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">stated in multiple interviews</a> that <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/david-price-gets-us-ready-for-the-world-series/id1479151019?i=1000495336248">he’s looking forward to pitching in 2021</a>, after opting out of the 2020 season. Even earlier Thursday, when asked about pitching next year, Price expressed a similar sentiment.</p>
<div id="OMC4Zl">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> that’s the plan!</p>— David Price (@DAVIDprice24) <a href="https://twitter.com/DAVIDprice24/status/1339601046419562503?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2020</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p id="HUeoll">As for <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2020/12/15/22176634/2021-mlb-season-start-delayed-players-owners-negotiations">when the 2021 MLB season might start</a>, Roberts said, “Right now we’re expecting to start spring training on time, and play a full slate of games, and I’m confident we’ll get through it.”</p>
<p id="dYAAIS">Roberts said the Dodgers are proceeding as if there won’t be a designated hitter in the National League in 2021. “If we do end up with one, that’s gravy,” he said. “We kind of used it as a half-day rest for players. Those everyday guys rotate in and out, which actually proved beneficial.”</p>
<p id="5aT1SZ">As for <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2020/12/11/22170593/los-angeles-dodgers-brock-stewart-brandon-morrow">minor league signees Brandon Morrow and Nelson</a>, both of whom have pitched only sparingly in the last three seasons due to injuries, Roberts said getting them healthy was paramount before determining their role. “It’s good to know that guys like [Brandon] and Jimmy want to come back here, because they believe in the people in this organization,” he said.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2020/12/17/22187755/dave-roberts-justin-turner-free-agency-david-price-dodgers-offseasonEric Stephen