During Wednesday’s press conference at Dodger Stadium to welcome back third baseman Justin Turner and closer Kenley Jansen, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman made it abundantly clear to the gathered media the importance and priority that he and general manager Farhan Zaidi had in re-signing the two Dodger free agents.

“It goes without saying that heading into the winter two of the most important things for us in terms of our to-do list was to re-sign Kenley Jansen and Justin Turner,” Friedman said. “Heading into the winter I think one of the most challenging things a front office has to do is assess the team that you ended the season with. We felt like the team we ended the year with was championship-caliber, with a clubhouse dynamic and environment that was really conducive to winning. Again, as these guys became free agents, our two most acute needs were third base and closer.”

Wednesday’s press conference to officially announce the re-signing of Justin Turner and Kenley Jansen brought with it an enormous sigh of relief for Dodger fans.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

As the press conference continued, both Jansen and Turner pretty much said what you would expect them to say after receiving multi-year free agent contracts of $80 million and $64 million respectively. But you also got a heartfelt sense that neither really wanted to leave the Dodgers.

“Obviously, winning is a big deal. As much as you want to go out and explore … test the (free agent) market – and I had this conversation with Kenley – the grass isn’t always greener on the other side,” said Turner. “With other organizations, no matter how good they make it seem that it will be for you, you don’t necessarily know what you’re getting yourself into. With the Dodgers, obviously being here the last three years, I knew exactly what was here. I love the staff, Dave Roberts, his guys and what they mean and stand for. I love being a Dodger, love being in the community. I really wanted to continue those relationships … and I have some unfinished business.”

“I have some unfinished Business.” – Justin Turner
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

It’s hard to argue with anything that the 32-year-old Dodger third baseman said, it’s just unfortunate that every Dodger fan on the planet had to endure near-unbearable anxiety to get to the finish line with the extremely popular Long Beach, California native and former seventh-round draft pick.

Although that same anxiety lasted even longer with Jansen, the 29-year-old Willemstad, Curaçao native was near tears in telling reporters that returning to the team that signed him as an amateur free agent in 2004 and the only team he has ever known wasn’t about the money.

“I want to win. That’s the first thing. What this organization means to me, the opportunities they’ve provided me, it means so much,” Jansen said. “In talking to JT, Scott Van Slyke and Yasiel (Puig), it isn’t about the money sometimes. It’s about where you want to be, your family, and making the right decision for them. My family wanted to be out here. From the bottom of my heart, I want to win a championship here. Winning a championship with the Dodgers would mean so much to me. That’s my dream.”

“From the bottom of my heart, I want to win a championship here.” – Kenley Jansen
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

As the presser was winding down, I asked Friedman a question which I prefaced with the fact that there was a great deal of anxiety amongst Dodger fans – especially on social media – about the possibility that the two Dodgers stars might not be coming back. Even before I got to my actual question, Friedman joking interrupted stating “The front office too,” which drew a laugh from the crowd. I concluded with my question to the Dodgers’ top executive as to how confident he was when the season ended and this process began that we would be sitting here today?

“It’s such a difficult thing to say at the beginning. I think any time that both sides really want it to happen, it increases the chances. It makes it more likely than it otherwise would be. I think the successes and how much they’ve enjoyed their time in Los Angeles, how much the organization values them, I think any time you go into a situation with that, it gives you a better chance. But there were definitely ups and downs throughout where we weren’t sure that we’d be sitting here today. But obviously we are and we couldn’t be happier about it.”

Done.
(Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)

Anxieties resolved.

…for now.