The Los Angeles Dodgers have once again been eliminated from the MLB Playoffs, and they will spend the offseason attempting to patch up the problems that emerged during their brief NLDS matchup with the San Diego Padres. But the Dodgers will have to exert every effort to re-sign star shortstop Trea Turner in free agency if they want to avoid other holes from appearing.
Turner just completed a solid campaign at the ideal moment because he is not yet eligible for free agency. He is coming off another excellent season. Turner is considered to be one of the best shortstops in the game according to his last season stats (.298 BA, 21 HR, 100 RBI, 27 SB,.809 OPS), and whoever team signs him in the free agent market will be getting a star.
Turner is expected to be interested in a reunion with the Dodgers, but they might have to watch as another team signs him this winter. Here are the three teams most likely to sign Turner if he does decide to leave the Dodgers following a very successful season and a half with them.
3. Boston Red Sox
With Xander Bogaerts expected to exercise his right to opt out of his contract and test free agency, the Boston Red Sox have their own shortstop drama. The Red Sox have made it obvious that they want to extend Bogaerts’ contract, but should that prove impossible, they might try to sign Turner in free agency.
Given that Bogaerts is a homegrown player who has played his whole career in Boston, seeing him depart would be heartbreaking for the Sox. Turner has remained as reliable as ever, but if the Red Sox were able to replace Bogaerts this winter, Turner might end up being that player.
Turner has distinguished himself as a superior all-around hitter than Bogaerts despite being a year Bogaerts’ junior. If the Sox are unable to find a way to get Bogaerts back, they may turn their attention to Turner and spend the money that was intended for Bogaerts on him. Bogaerts’ chances of returning to Boston are approximately 50/50, but if he doesn’t, the Red Sox will have money to spend and might try to sign Trea Turner.
2. San Francisco Giants
In the same predicament as the Red Sox this offseason are the San Francisco Giants. They faltered in 2022 after a tremendously successful 2021 campaign, and this offseason they plan to improve their roster as a whole. They might then attempt to swoop in during the free agent period to nab Turner away from their National League East rival.
The Giants now have Brandon Crawford playing shortstop, but after a good 2021 season, he took a significant step back and just has one year remaining on his contract. The Giants can still use Crawford at shortstop for one more season, but given that he will be 36 at the start of the following campaign, it is obvious that they need to make plans for the position’s long-term future.
There aren’t many solutions available that are better than Turner. Turner is arguably the best of the group, but Carlos Correa and Bogaerts might give him some challenge in free agency. He is still in his prime and has developed during the course of his career. This offseason, the Giants might benefit from investing part of their funds in a long-term contract for Trea Turner.
1. Philadelphia Phillies
Regardless of how they perform in the NLCS against the San Diego Padres, the Philadelphia Phillies have been one of the biggest surprises of the 2022 MLB Playoffs and could be one of Turner’s top suitors once free agency gets underway. It’s unsettling to consider that a Phillies team that has suddenly become one of baseball’s finest teams might improve even further this offseason.
Although the Phillies have kept Jean Segura at shortstop, they should decline his club option this offseason. As a result, he will likely end up as a free agent. Segura has been a good player for Philadelphia this year, but he will turn 33 next year, and Turner would be a clear improvement over him for a team that, given on how well they have performed in the postseason thus far, would certainly have World Series expectations.
Turner would be a wonderful investment for Philadelphia, which has money to burn. The Phillies may become the club to beat in the National League if they add him to their already potent lineup, which would represent a significant shift for the Dodgers. Trea Turner would be a terrifying addition to Philly’s squad, especially given the possibility that they could win a championship this season.
Trea Turner’s three main suitors to leave the Dodgers initially surfaced on ClutchPoints in the post.
