3:10pm: FOX’s Ken Rosenthal tweets that the deal will be for $64MM when it is ultimately completed.
12:06pm: Sherman reports that the two sides have been discussing a contract in the vicinity of $64MM in total, though there could be a higher guarantee and some deferrals as well (Twitter links). The Rebel Media’s Chris Camello first tweeted yesterday that the two sides were getting close to a deal in the four-year, $65MM range.
10:41am: Heyman tweets that the Dodgers currently have an offer on the table to Turner and are awaiting his decision. ESPN’s Jim Bowden tweets that both the Dodgers and Turner’s representatives at the Legacy Agency say there’s no agreement just yet, though both are hopeful.
10:24am: The Dodgers and Turner are progressing toward an agreement, reports Joel Sherman of the New York Post (via Twitter). If an agreement is reached, it’ll “likely” be for four years, tweets FanRag’s Jon Heyman.
7:35am: The Dodgers are becoming more confident that they can re-sign third baseman Justin Turner, reports ESPN’s Buster Olney (Twitter links). The two sides have been in talks on a four-year contract recently, Olney adds.
Turner, who turned 32 three weeks ago, has been one of the Dodgers’ top offseason priorities. He’s fresh off a brilliant season that saw him bat .275/.339/.493 with 27 homers, 34 doubles and outstanding defense at the hot corner (+7 DRS, +14 UZR). That marked the third consecutive season of exceptional offensive production from Turner, who signed a minor league contract with Los Angeles in February 2014 after being non-tendered by the Mets and went on to break out in Chavez Ravine. In 386 games and 1383 plate appearances as a member of the Dodgers, Turner has slashed .296/.364/.492.
Bringing back the right-handed-hitting Turner would be a boost to a Dodgers team that ranked last in the Majors against left-handed pitching in 2016 in terms of on-base percentage, slugging percentage and wRC+. However, it should also be noted that Turner’s own uncharacteristic struggles against southpaws last year contributed heavily to L.A.’s woes against in that department. Turner hit .282/.359/.465 against left-handers in his first two seasons with the Dodgers but slumped to a .209/.303/.337 mark last year. His strikeout and walk rates against lefties remained encouraging, although he sported just a .230 average on balls in play against lefties, which obviously proved to be a significant detriment.
Jason Martinez of Roster Resource/MLBTR projects the Dodgers for a $204MM Opening Day payroll as it is, even without re-signing Turner, so adding him back into the mix would presumably push the team’s 2017 payroll north of $220MM (though the deal could of course be backloaded to some extent). That number would continue to rise if the team were to re-sign Kenley Jansen, another top target, or add an experienced arm to replace their closer in the event that Jansen signs elsewhere. The Dodgers will, at least, be free of their obligations to both Carl Crawford and Alex Guerrero next winter, which will result in about $28MM coming off their payroll. They’ll also be able to buy out Andre Ethier’s $17.5MM mutual option. The following offseason will see Adrian Gonzalez, Scott Kazmir, Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-jin Ryu come off the books, creating plenty of opportunity for the Dodgers to shed some significant payroll and luxury tax considerations in the next two years.
Look for Dodgers to shed additional payroll before the trade deadline and perhaps as early as ST when/if Kazmir and/or McCarthy demonstrate that they are healthy. With so many teams looking for starting pitching (Yankees and O’s as examples) these 2 veterans, if healthy, should be easy to move as long as Dodgers are willing to take mid level prospects in return although it may have to take on some of Kazmir’s contract. Others, like Scott Van Slyke, could be moved sooner than later replaced by less expensive and comparable players already in the organization.
Not that many teams looking for back end SP’s, actually. A few looking for top end guys, and always for optionable depth, but not a big market for expensive #5’s like those guys.
Mariners looking for 3-4 starter just saying.
starters*
I think he hit the nail on the head with Yankees and orioles, probably marlins too.
Not right now but at the deadline they likely will be. Injuries and poor performance can always happen. Of course in that regard, it’s just as likely the Dodgers end up needing them more than they can afford to trade them.
Dodgers can’t really keep all their SP’s into the season, if they’re all healthy. None are optionable and would probably freak out if put in the pen. However, they’re probably not going to be all healthy.
The only way a team is going to take either one of these guys is if the dodgers eat most of both of their salaries.
Not that excited with the possibility of re-signing Turner – especially to a 4 year deal. Thinking there are less expensive options that will put up numbers similar to those of Turner pre last season – who rather sign someone like Trevor Plouffe cheaply as a plug in and spend the money on a closer if KJ goes to the Marlins with Mattingly and Ellis
Makes too much sense so little chance the Dodgers will do it.
I am not a fan of the Dodgers losing Jansen, but the reality is that closers rarely maintain effectiveness throughout their careers and third basemen who can both hit and field are tough to find these days. I think Jansen is much easier to replace than Turner, especially with a manager in Roberts who has shown he can manage a bullpen. That said, I expect Jansen to have a very good season after his performance in the recent playoffs.. I also expect him to be heavily overpaid. If the choice is between Turner and Jansen, I think I would choose to sign Turner. Even if he regresses, his presence on the roster makes him an asset. His emergence as an offensive threat, reportedly, is due to his study of hitting, and I think he can help young players in that regard as well. I am a big fan of Jansen, but the contracts which are being thrown at closers lately, combined with their poor track record of maintaining dominance, makes it easy for me to get on board with the Dodgers moving on. Quite frankly, I would be a lot more concerned if Mattingly was still the manager. He needs to rely on certain arms because he has zero judgment. Roberts did an outstanding job last season, and I trust him to make decisions with the bullpen.
As must as I find it hard to speak the name of the team JB blue (SF fan) your opinion here makes a lot of sense. I concur with your assessment. If I had to make a choice I’d do the same thing.
*much. Stupid phone autocorrect and app doesn’t let me edit.
+1
The market for high end closers is firmly established, especially this year, so it makes no sense to refer to what they are getting as “overpays.” They are worth what teams are willing to pay to have them on their rosters. The Dodgers have nobody anywhere near Jansen’s 9th inning abilities or access to anyone on the trade market who even comes close. The track record of any player maintaining dominance for their entire career is poor. That doesn’t mean teams aren’t going to accept that risk. They do every day.
As for Turner… he adjusted his swing based on advice from coaching. The result is fewer catchable line drives and more homers. He is another case of having to accept he could break down over the course of any contract they hand him, but all the alternatives being less attractive.
Roberts can manage a bullpen? Jansen pitched 2 innings in playoffs and kershaw got last out in nlds. Cubs won because of Baez and Blanton. When you remove pitchers and replace and opposing fans cheer you it’s not a good sign
Baez has always been unreliable. Blanton, who was excellent all season, was overused and out of gas by the postseason. Liberatore was the other reliable arm in the pen but he was burnt out before the postseason. These relievers were overused in the regular season because Roberts did not have anybody else reliable. Roberts did an excellent job of juggling what he was given to work with all season, but that bill came due in October.
It’s a bad thing that Jansen pitched two innings and that he used Kershaw to close out a game? That’s called being creative.
My point is if they let him walk they won’t have him to save them. Baez and company will be used more. If it was from fatigue they will be more fatigued without Jansen. I think dodgers need Jansen too go deep in playoffs. As a Cubs fan I would have liked resigning chapman or Jansen. Wade Davis is great for this year.
Agree. They had more players, mostly pitchers, on the DL than any team in MLB history. Roberts did what he had to do to put his team in the best position to win. The front office selecting starting pitchers on the other hand… Well, let’s compare Rich Hill and Jharel Cotton in three years.
Who else is going to give you GG caliber defense, bat .275 consistently, knock in close to 100 RBI and bat cleanup? 4 years is a god send, he should be getting 5 easily
Turner is not particularly good defensively.
Huh?
lol. You’re not serious right?
If you think Plouffe would put up close to the same numbers then I don’t know what to say. Plouffe just like Frazier is a complete downgrade both offensively and defensively. At four years they can easily transition Turner to 1st if he starts to decline defensively especially when you realize Bellinger can play in the corners. The numbers compared to Turner are just staggering.
Frazier kicks Turner’s butt defensively. Not sure about Plouffe.
Turner’s value is his bat, and it’s pretty valuable.
You might be thinking of someone else. Justin Turner is one of the best defensive 3b in baseball.
You don’t watch Turner or have any knowledge of advanced defensive metrics do you? Turner’s defense runs circles around Frazier’s.
These signings are a testament to Roberts, the players must like it there and think he will get it done. Only a couple of games short last year, and they did so well when Kershaw got hurt. This is a very good team.
They aren’t going to transition him to first with Bellinger waiting in the minors
Bellinger continues to see more time the OF. In fact even in the AFL he saw time in CF which is nothing new. If he can provide value in the OF Turner’s contract isn’t so long. So yes we could see Bellinger in the RF until Turners contract expires. That’s obviously only contingent on a decline in def ability.
And how exactly do you figure that they can sign Plouffe? He isn’t even a FA….
Yes he is
Ahhhhh snap! Yes he is!!
Plouffe got released by the horrible Twins…you guys blow my mind. Why the F would the Dodgers ever want him?
Are the Dodgers comfortable enough with their prospect depth to just run up this year’s salsa waiting for some salary dumpage next year, and take the enhanced luxury tax hits?
Yes they are. The farm could use a little thinning as there are some repetitive pieces. But yes the amount of depth they have is pretty interesting especially considering a majority of their top prospects are at AAA. They don’t even need to move major amounts of money this year to be under threshold next year but it’d be nice. That being said if they could find a way to move 20M from the Kaz, McCarthy, Puig contingent they probably run under the major tax ramifications. The dream would be to move Ethier but that seems far fetched.
Nice so according to Rosenthal there is no major threshold tax as this is a transition year. Bodes extremely well the Dodgers.
I guess it depends on the level of hotness we’re talking here with the salsa. In theory, why not take all the salsa? Why not max out the salsa, no matter how expensive it is.
5
As he said, because of the dumpage.
Once they got rid of Cluberson they must have felt confident that they were going to sign a 3rd baseman
Yeah pretty sure there’s nomcorrostion there.
Holy auto-correct!.
* No correlation
Turner was always going to resign with the Dodgers.
NO chance he was going to go to his absurdly hot Cali girlfriend and tell her they are moving to Cincinnati.
For nine months of the year, ballplayers are living wherever they call home. For a few extra millions they’ll gladly spend the other three months somewhere else.
I meant, six months. Three months on the road. Three in the team’s home city. Not counting spring training.
For a “few extra million” when you’re already going to be making $60+ mil, I’d rather live where I want and play with the team I want.
Funny how it doesn’t work that way in the real world.
The Real World says:
Jansen’s agent, Adam Katz, confirmed to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (all links to Sherman on Twitter) that the Nats offered more: “The Nationals’ presentation was exceptional and generous and for more money. They conducted recruitment of this player in a high caliber professional way. Kenley and I were very impressed. At the end of the day Kenley loves Los Angeles, his Dodger family, the fans here and although money was a factor, it wasn’t the most important thing.”
The real real world says: Jansen’s deal with the Dodgers had more real value, because it didn’t include deferrals and came with an opt-out.
Blanton sucks! Always has even with the Angels!
He’s been excellent in his last two seasons as a reliever. The Dodgers don’t even make the postseason without him.
Haha no.
Oh? Maybe you’re having a problem with looking at the numbers, or maybe you forgot that Blanton was signed as the long man in the bullpen and ended up sliding into the setup role when nobody else could do it, and how effective he was at it.
Don’t bother. These are people that don’t watch the team and know how good Blanton has been.
This signing would take 3B Todd Frazier off the table as a trade option for the White Sox. They still have pieces that might interest the Dodgers, including David Robertson if FA closer Kenley Jansen signs elsewhere, along with Brett Lawrie as a cheaper short term option to fill their hole at 2B.
There’s no need for Lawrie. They seem intent on trying to pry Dozier from the twins and both teams seem to actually line up very well. The Nats to me actually line up better in terms of Robertson. I still believe Robertson and Frazier were ploys to try and get Jansen and Turner market moving.
Brett Lawrie and David Robertson are both cheaper fallback options for the Dodgers.
Lawrie put up comparable production to what the Dodgers received at 2B last season before hs injury and he would be cheap in terms of his arbitration salary this offseason. More importantly, his cost in assets going back in a trade would be considerably less than what Brian Dozier will be to the Twins.. Of course, Brian Dozier would be the trade priority and is a bargain at $15MM over the final two years of his contract but he would command a tremendous return in talent from the Dodgers system coming off a career year in 2016, something the LA front office seems reluctant to do.
It’s rare that a trade candidate would influence the free agent market when there are excellent options at a particular position. This was the case in the 2016/2017 market with three elite closers available along with Justin Turner at 3B. Starting pitching has been the exception this offseason and why trade discussions to acquire elite and even mid-rotation pieces have taken precedence.
Btw-White Sox pitcher Jose Quintana remains an excellent upgrade option for the Dodgers rotation, especially if they value a top of the rotation pitcher who is remarkably durable. And why wouldn’t they after all the injury problems to their staff in 2016?
“Q” has never missed a start since joining the White Sox rotation in May of 2012 while amassing at least 200 innings pitched in each of his four full seasons as a starter. In that same 4 year span, his WAR ranks seventh among starters, just behind Corey Kluber and ahead of Felix Hernandez, two acknowledged ace pitchers.
The remaining 4 years of Quintana’s contract extension are also a relative bargain, something the Dodgers need to consider with MLB’s highest payroll and harsher luxury tax penalties with the new CBA. Of course, parting with blue-chip prospects has not been the m.o. of the current front office which would be required with ‘Q”, making a trade for him less likely.
Oh no I’m not arguing in any way that Q wouldn’t be worth it. I understand how good and team friendly his contract is. I just think that their focus lies now on the 2b market. And if they are going to make that big move they are dealing from a form of strength in their staff and OF to focus on a need that can’t be filled through their system.
Are the Dodgers really going to meat the Twins asking price for Dozier? If it were to happen it would be viewed as a massive overpay for what they have to get to send Dozier packing. Rebuilding, yes. Stupid, no. Even the new regime has stated a trade is unlikely because he is more valuable to MN than other teams. That tells me (speculation of course)the package would need to be DeLeon and Urias plus a couple more pieces. I don’t see any team stepping up to meet a price tag like that for 2 years of control. My guess is they extend him and build around him as Cleveland did with Kipnis. Dozier has stated his case to remain with the team, not that it would matter in the end but even if he regresses which is likely he is still a solid player and the Twins are not as far away from being a contender as some may think.
*meet not meat. Lol
I’m the fat finger king, it’s all good.
Interesting you bring of Lawrie as a cheaper short term 2B option. The guy, at one point, was a highly regarded prospect both in the Blue Jays and Brewers system. He was part of that huge Josh Donaldson trade at one point. Maybe he needs the right coaching and right environment to capitalize on his talent. But for the White Sox I don’t think they’d offload him as his value is extremely low and only net a couple of third or fourth tier prospects at this point.
True enough about Brett Lawrie, especially with the White Sox potentially needing a body themselves to play 2B or even 3B if Todd Frazier gets dealt this offseason. Tyler Saladino can play either position but not both while Carlos Sanchez might be an option at 2B as the team rebuilds.
Lawrie does have some “extra” value with his athleticism and versatility, along with the fact that he just turns 27 in January. He will also have extra incentive to perform well being in his final arbitration season before hitting free agency after the season. The White Sox may wait until the summer trade deadline to unload him but that might be cutting things close. Since the White Sox also have other pieces of possible interest to the Dodgers, it’s conceivable that Lawrie might be included as part of a larger trade package this offseason.
Rosenthal just said Dodgers are close to a deal with both Turner and Jansen.
Wow big spenders
Jensen dodgers 5/80
Over the last three years, he’s been good when on the field. The problem is 1350 PA in 3 seasons and no track record before then.
Dodgers have a need, they know him. I’m sure they have the financial room.
But to get below the luxury tax is going to take some work.
What with the success of Murphy and now Turner, looks like the Ticket to Stardom is to be let go by the Mets….
The dodgers have to get Turner and Jansen back.
They already have.
So who is left in MLB that needs a 3B?
Great day for us Dodgers fans. I did not believe in this front office to be honest with you. I thought they’d let one or both of them walk. I’m really happy with them bringing both back! Thank you Dodgers and thank you Jansen and Turner for not leaving us! Lol. Now let’s go bring back Blanton, the guys wasn’t great in the playoffs but he was great all year! Bring back Blanton and get a 2nd baseman and I’d be happy with that. Even if we bring back Utley I’d be happy with that. My main concerns were Turner, Jansen and Hill and we got all those guys so I don’t really have much expectations left but hopefully the team keeps going and intends to try to make this a better team than it was last year.
If they do nothing, other than have fewer injuries to key players, they will be better than last year. Urias, JDL, Joc, Puig, Stewart and Stripling all look to improve in 2017. Having Hill for a full season is an improvement. If they get anything from Kazmir, McCarthy and Ryu that will be a bonus. 2017 should be a very good year for LAD.
I do agree with you. We had a ton of injuries. We need everyone to stay somewhat healthy. The good thing for me is that we have Hill all year and Turner hopefully won’t be starting the year off united which slowed him down for the first month of the season or so. Hopefully Thompson will be healthy all year because that kid can flat out play and same goes for Toles. I think there is a lot to be happy about with this team. I just think we need to get a reliever or sign Blanton and get a second baseman or bring back Utley.
It is a great day, but after 2B we still have kind of a mess in the OF, a crying need for a leadoff hitter, a RH power bat, and some bullpen pieces.
Cesar Hernandez for the Dodgers?
So much for MLB reigning in Dodgers spending. With this contract, the Dodgers are at a $241.49 million payroll for 2017 40 man roster including arbitration eligible players and the 6 players needed to fill out the 25 man roster, $46.49 million over the $195 million luxury tax payroll. With the $42.7708 million luxury (competitive balance) tax the Dodgers 2017 payroll costs will be $284.2608 million. $66 million more than the team with the 2nd highest 2017 payroll, the Red Sox. That is over $100 million more than the Giants current payroll projections of $168.5 million and more than 5 times the Padres current payroll. While I think both the Giants and Padres will add $10-25 million each, it wont change the fact that there is a huge disparity in payroll. Baseball failed and Manfred lied.
“Reining in”, as in controlling the reins on a horse. FYI.
Thank you Mr Spellchecker. Too bad my phone’s auto spellcheck doesn’t care about your spelling BS. Get a life.
Thanks, I have a good life.
The note was not meant as a personal affront, but you chose to take it that way. You may want to “rein in” your temper…
If you choose to make excuses and attack the messenger, that’s your call. Be well.
You obviously have such a limited life that you feel a need to spellcheck for people instead of commenting on the merits of their post. Phones make corrections for people automatically today. If you don’t understand that then you need to move into the 21st Century. My comment stands. Get a life.
If “phones make corrections”, why do you insist on being incorrect?
p.s. Your comment added nothing new or cogent to the discussion.
They didn’t lie you just spun the story your way. The way you wanted. They said the Dodgers needed to fix the rev to debt calculator in which they will by not spending 300M on one time expenditures. But hey I’ve commented the same thing a couple of times. Research just research the subject.
MY spin? WTF are you talking about. The commish said that while the Dodgers would be able to fix the revenue to debt problem without decreasing payroll, they couldn’t increase payroll. They have. He lied. Pretty simple.
I don’t recall any instruction to not increase payroll – is there a source on this? I’d be interested.
I do recall the Dodgers having to present a structured payment plan to ensure they aren’t deviating from their debt requirements.
First off the luxury tax is going to phased in so it’ll around 33M that’s the first problem you have. So the major threshold tax will not go into effect until after 2018 season. The second problem you have is there was never a mandate to decrease payroll and that was naturally going to decrease. Third you were speculating off of interpretation not fact.
Anyway regardless i still see moves being made where they shed payroll both some major and minor. But as I’ve continually stated they’d be able to sign all three but would not be able to go crazy on the FA market.
The competitive balance tax as defined in the new CBA includes exceeding the levels in previous years according to this site, so the Dodgers are subject to a 50% tax and a 42% surcharge.
With the Jansen signing and the reported Turner contract, the Dodgers are now at $314 million including $257+ million in payroll, the 50% luxury tax for going $62 million over and a $57.04 million surcharge.
There was never a mandate to DECREASE payroll, but in several interviews including those posted on this site, Manfred said the Dodger’s could still put a competitive team on the field while refraining from increasing payroll. They have increased payroll. He lied.
So? Then the Dodgers will have to pay the extra $$$ for going over.
That should be an advantage to the Padres, instead of another thing to be unnecessarily incensed about.
“the Dodger’s could still put a competitive team on the field while refraining from increasing payroll”
That in no way, shape or form is an instruction to not increase payroll. That they COULD field a competitive team, while refraining from increasing payroll, does not equal “they cannot increase payroll”.
The Dodgers could field a competitive team. They could not. They could shoot cannonballs into the sky or they could give away candy floss, for all they want.
Where is the lie?
There has been zero instruction to freeze payroll or place a hard cap on their spend.
What’s the difference? You spend more time worrying about what the Dodgers are doing, instead of worrying about what the Madres aren’t.
Hey ttinsley, looks like some people insist on being mad about irrelevant things. Keeps their focusing off the fine mess their favorite team is in.
Again like I said such major threshold tax does not kick in until 2 years from now. They simply just exploited the transition period in which they will not do next year because it will come with 95%
If you don’t believe me look at Rosenthal reports and Starks. Again do your research.
There is a whole offseason left of guys who will not make what they are project as they are non guaranteed contracts and trading of excess so in other words they may not have even raised payroll. It’s pretty clear that next year was going to be the start of major shedding of contracts. They re upped their own guys. Boo boo. They have the money and as you would hope most franchises would do is spend it.
But essentially in its simplest former you’re angry, because as you said in previous posts you assumed “they’d have to sell the precious farm.”
Salty Madres fan is back! Lol! This guy is a tool!