Although the Los Angeles Dodgers were strongly linked to a potential Max Scherzer trade at the 2021 deadline, it wasn’t until an agreement was in place with the Washington Nationals that it was reported they were acquiring Trea Turner as well.
Scherzer was possibly only going to be a rental, whereas Turner had a final year of salary arbitration remaining. He was projected by MLB Trade Rumors to receive a $19.8 million salary for the 2022 season but wound up agreeing with the Dodgers at $21 million.
Turner expressed a willingness to sign a contract extension with the Dodgers, but he was not open to holding negotiations during the regular season.
According to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group, Turner said contract talks with the Dodgers during Spring Training did not produce much progress but he anticipates those talks to be revisited shortly:
Turner said Wednesday there were preliminary discussions in the spring but “we all agreed we didn’t really get anywhere.” So he told the Dodgers he would “rather just focus on the season” and not talk contract during the season.
“So we haven’t talked since then,” he said. “But I’m sure we’ll be talking in a few weeks.”
After winning the 2021 National League batting title, Turner has put together another impressive season. Included in that has been a move back to shortstop in the wake of Corey Seager leaving the Dodgers in free agency for a 10-year, $325 million contract with the Texas Rangers.
Turner has been in the Dodgers lineup for nearly every game this season and hit .299/.345/.472 with 38 doubles, four triples, 20 home runs and 97 RBI. He’s collected 184 hits, which is second only to Freddie Freeman (191) for the MLB lead.
Freeman and Turner are on pace to become the first set of teammates to finish first and second for most hits since Ichiro Suzuki and Brett Boone did so for the 2001 Seattle Mariners.
Potential Trea Turner contract
Turner is due to become part of a talented list of shortstops who will reach free agency after the 2022 season. The group includes Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts and Dansby Swanson. Bogaerts has arguably had the best season of the four, but Turner certainly is in position to sign a lucrative contract.
He figures to receive a long-term deal that could approach $300 million in total value and surpass Seager’s $32.5 million average annual value.
While the Dodgers weren’t able to work out a new deal with Turner, they did sign Blake Treinen, Max Muncy and Daniel Hudson to contract extensions.
More must-reads: