March 2nd, 2016 at 6:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka It was one of those unanswered questions that had Dodger fans constantly scratching their heads, maybe not so much in 2014 but definitely in 2015. Why don’t the Dodgers just name Justin Turner as their everyday third baseman and be done with it instead of calling him the proverbial utility bench player?
The long answer is that the extremely popular 31-year-old Long Beach, California native played in only 126 games last season and seemed to be battling reoccurring knee injuries or was given a few extra days off by former Dodgers manager Don Mattingly in an effort to stave off said injuries.
The short answer is that Turner never completely convinced the powers that be that he was a viable candidate to be an everyday third baseman of the likes of Juan Uribe or Jerry Hairston Jr. or Aaron Miles or Casey Blake or Nomar or (uggh) Adrian Beltre.
…until now, that is.
Nursing his way back from off-season microfracture surgery to his left knee, Turner has finally convinced the Dodgers brass that they have had an all star-caliber third baseman in their grasp all along – since acquiring him from the New York Mets, who non-tendered him following the 2013 season. The Dodgers promptly signed Turner to a one-year / $1 million minor league contract and have never looked back.
Not only did Turner play well enough during spring training 2014 to earn a spot on the Dodgers 25-man roster, but he has been one of the best hitters in the game since joining the Dodgers; good enough to be re-signed for $2.5 million in 2015 and $5.1 million this past off-season.
“We’re going to keep him over there at third base, where he’s comfortable,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters last week. “Things can change, but I don’t see us deviating from that.”
Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner was among the first to arrive for spring training long before position players were due. He has been working hard every day since to be ready for Opening Day.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
But only days later, Roberts said that his new everyday third baseman will probably miss the team’s first week of spring training games as he continues to strengthen his surgically repaired knee.
“It’s fair to say you won’t see him in a game for a week,” Roberts said on Monday. “He’s doing well and our main concern for him is his health and recovery, which every day continues to get better. But as far as the at-bats, we can get those on the [minor league] side if we need do, so I’m not too concerned about that. As far as him taking grounders and the lateral work, coming in on the ball, he’s doing that every day.”
All of that said, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman still expects Turner to be in the lineup on Opening Day in San Diego.
“That’s our expectation,” Friedman said. “Here again, we’re going to play it out and monitor work load and figure it out, but that’s fair to say.”
As you would expect from someone with Turner’s work ethic, he was in camp nearly two weeks before position players were due and has been working very hard with coaches and trainers to be game-ready on Opening Day.
“Getting better every day,” said Turner, when asked how he knee was feeling after one of his pre-spring training workouts. “We’ll see how it goes but it’s getting better every day.”
Turner then returned to the field and took another 24 grounders from longtime Dodgers coach and minor league manager John Shoemaker – eight to his right, eight straight at him and eight to his left. On the very last one – to his left – Turner had to make a desperate reach to get to the ball but did so in mid-season form.
“I kinda had to work for that last,” Turner kidded afterwards.
So who will play third base when Cactus League play begins on Thursday?
“I want to see Howie and Chase over there. Neither guy has played a whole lot over there,” Roberts said. “For my eyes, the coaches’ eyes, and for their peace of mind, they need to get repetitions over there. As we get through spring, things will become more clear.”
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Unless traded, I hope Roberts gives Guerrero sometime at 3b as well; give him a clean slate as he is doing with Puig.
I do not expect Guerrero to be a Dodger much longer.
I agree, but I believe Mattingly made up his mind too early on Guerrero’s infield defense. The few times Guerrero played 3b he did a good (not great) job. As long as he is with the Dodgers I would like to see Roberts give him the same consideration as he is with Puig.
Scott Boras is the reason why Guerrero will be gone – perhaps as early as Opening Day. By including the “cannot be sent to the minor leagues after 2014” clause in his contract, Boras basically put a gun to the Dodgers’ head. And adding the free agent if traded clause pretty much makes him unattractive to any other team.
Boras did the kid no favors (well… aside from the $10 million signing bonus, that is).
With Turner, Howie and Chase at 3B, I do not see Guerrero getting much playing time there after spring training – at least not with the Dodgers.
They need to sit him down, with Boras present, and tell him, “Alex, you’re only going to be a utility man here. With that FA clause nobody wants to trade for you. If you want a better deal you need to be willing to void that part of your contract.”
Accepting that won’t really hurt him. He only has to do it as a condition of the trade. If he doesn’t like the team he’s going to, he doesn’t void it.
No matter what Boras says, that would be the best thing for him.
Could end up with him getting rid of Boras too.
It wasn’t just Mattingly! Everyone who has seen him play says he can’t play any position – Not Third Base nor Second Base nor Shortstop nor First Base nor any Outfield position nor catcher or pitcher. Retaining a player that can only hit (and even that fell apart when the pitchers figured him out) in the National League is ridiculous!
“Everyone?” Then it should not be difficult for you to name 5 and include your sources. Try this, from early last season after Guerrero played well at 3b; “Manager Don Mattingly said he was surprised by Guerrero’s defensive aptitude. It’s been an eye-opener for us.” Check Guerrero’s fielding stats last season at 3b — .978 and advanced stats have him above average. Yes, very small sample size with 149 innings but if he is as horrible as you think then he would have had more than 1 error. I believe he should be given the same consideration as Puig and played at 3b this ST so that Roberts and his staff can evaluate. Not saying he is going to win a gold glove.
Dodgers depth at 3b: Utley, Kendrick, Guerrero, Culberson, Herrara, and Sedgin. Critical that Turner stays healthy and off the DL for any extended period. Dodgers are loaded with OF’ers, starting pitchers, bull pen arms, with fair depth at catcher. Infield prospects are pretty thin, especially at 1b and 3b; backing up Seager at SS is Kike Hernandez, after that the best option is probably Arruebarrena.
And Turner is in his walk year. So is our closer. Keep moving, nothing to see here.
I was already under the impression that Turner was our everyday third baseman, even though he has trouble playing everyday.
Nope.
I think everybody ‘cept the Dodgers FO thought that. OK, and Ron
Don’t know what else I can tell you – Mattingly never acknowledged Turner as anything but a utility player. Don’t shoot the messenger.
And no further need to shoot Mattingly.
An everyday third baseman plays every day. That ain’t Turner.