How intent was Justin Turner on re-signing with the Dodgers? According to ESPN’s Buster Olney (subscription required), Turner didn’t clean out his locker at the end of the season and continued to go through his winter workouts at Dodger Stadium. There was very little buzz on the rumor mill linking Turner to any club besides Los Angeles, and sure enough, the two sides continued their relationship when Turner inked a four-year, $64MM deal. Here’s more from around the National League West…
- The Rockies could still add a reliever this winter but their big transactions could already be over, MLB.com’s Thomas Harding opines (Twitter link). Since the Ian Desmond signing, Colorado has been rumored to be exploring such moves as signing Mark Trumbo and trading an outfielder, though Harding doesn’t see either scenario happening.
- The specifics of Mark Melancon‘s $20MM signing bonus with the Giants were broken down by FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman (Twitter link) earlier this week. The closer received $6MM on December 30 and will get another $6MM payment on January 15. The remaining $8MM will be deferred until after Melancon’s four-year deal is up; he will be paid $1MM every January 15 from 2021 through 2028.
- Thanks to a trade and two waiver claims, right-hander Tyrell Jenkins has been a member of four different organizations within the last month, a tumultuous stretch for any player, let alone a 24-year-old entering his second MLB season. Jenkins spoke to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution about his busy winter, including how he was already feeling some hometown pressure during his brief stint with the Rangers (Jenkins hails from Henderson, Texas) and how his latest move (being claimed by the Padres) caught Jenkins by surprise, though he’s looking forward to getting an opportunity in San Diego.
I think Jenkins fits better in the BP. He also has a better chance to make the Padres that way.
Yeah the Padres need bodies to fill spots at this point in time, the upside is a plus.
No…..we have “bodies”….what we need are quality major league pitchers.
“That” we don’t have!
It is nice to see the LAD developing a culture in which players want to stay in the organization to the point of even taking less money (Turner and Jansen) to re-sign.
This a significant change from 2012-2013 and, like many developments over the past three years under Friedman (stronger 40-man roster, emergence and retention of premium young talent, Doc, etc.), bodes well for the future.
I’m sure Turner’s agent told him there’s basically no market for third basemen this off-season, so it was kind of a special case. If he were a catcher or a closer or something in heavy demand, I’m sure it would have gone differently.
“If he were a catcher or a closer or something in heavy demand, I’m sure it would have gone differently.”
Kenley took less too
Not really. Jansen got the opt-out from the Dodgers, which probably he was not offered by any other team. Those terms provide value to the player over and above the immediate cash value of the contract.
I love when a poster speculates and then presents his speculation as fact to support his argument. Good job.
Source? Is there any evidence you can point to, beyond your speculatiob, that Nats or Marlins would or would not offer the opt out?
Read: probably. Just looking at the numbers and the result is enough to support probably.
@seamaholic
Turner reportedly had several suitors, and third base is one of the thinnest positions in the game. This is clearly a case of a player wanting to remain with the Dodgers.
No market for 3B? There’s not much available next season either. It didn’t help that Turner turned down a QO, scaring off some eligible teams, but he has a high floor and didn’t want a lot of years.
Agree-his agent did not do the typical hype
I’m guessing there was definitely a market but when Turner basically said he didn’t want to leave LA it was clear a deal was going to occur. I’m sure the Giants would have loved Turner but basically dropped out of the race after it was clear. The market seemed to be non existent though after his preferences were made clear.
Actually this was the perfect year for JT to be a free agent due to the fact that the 3B market was extremely thin…that being said if a guy wants to play for a certain team he will do what it takes to make that happen within reason…I’m glad we resigned him on reasonable terms and he will be more than comfortable for the rest of his life…I will be more comfortable for the rest of my life if he can help bring a ring back to LA!
Kudos goes to Roberts for creating the desirable clubhouse, a ton of personalities in that locker room to contend with.
I was 50/50 on hiring Roberts when they first brought him in but I can say without question that I am impressed with his body of work in his first year and am excited to see what he can accomplish down the road
Love the decision of JT and the Dodgers organization. JT was more valuable than just his numbers. Aka “The Derek Carr Effect”
Too soon