December 22nd, 2020 at 8:10 am 
by 0799291000348 Four days ago, December 18, MLB insider journalist John Heyman reported that the Washington Nationals had spoken with the Cincinnati Reds about 29-year-old third baseman Eugenio Suarez. In a tepid Hot Stove season, that rather innocuous report has led to rumors of Suarez being traded to the Nationals, or elsewhere, presuming the Reds are looking to further reduce payroll after relief pitcher Archie Bradley was non-tendered and closer Raisel Iglesias was traded to the Los Angeles Angels.
Considering that third baseman Justin Turner is testing the 2020-21 free-agent market, linking Suarez to the Dodgers is a plausible replacement option. Whereas Colorado Rockies perennial Gold Glove third baseman Nolan Arenado is owed $199 million over the next six years and Chicago Cubs Kris Bryant would likely be a one year rental with an $18.6 million contract, Suarez is under team control through 2024 at an extremely team-friendly $9.4 million AAV with a $15 million team option for 2025 (or a $2 million buyout).
(Photo credit – Kirk Irwin)
In 2018 and 2019, Suarez was one of the best offensive third basemen in MLB with a combined 8.4 WAR (Turner was 7.6) and a 134 wRC+ (Turner 142), and his defense was ML average. Suarez slashed well below his career averages in 2020 (.202/.312/.470), but he contributed 15 home runs and 38 RBI for an above-average 104 wRC+. While the Reds may listen to trade offers, the return in ready-now players will have to be substantial for another team to acquire their third baseman.
Who would the Dodgers be willing to trade for Suarez? Reportedly the Reds are looking for a middle infielder and additional pitching help (starters and relievers). Gavin Lux would fill Cincinnati’s need for middle infield help, but alone would not be enough to acquire the established ML third baseman. The Reds would likely want a young, controllable pitcher like Tony Gonsolin, but that would be an overpay by the Dodgers – and Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman does not overpay. The Reds could be offered their pick of two pitchers from the group of Edwin Uceta, Michael Grove, Mitchell White, Josh Sborz, and Dennis Santana.
Justin Turner remains the Dodgers best third base option. But if he decides to sign with another team, Suarez is an excellent option as his replacement.
(Photo credit – Tom Pennington)
What do you think, Dodgers fans? Gather around the Hot Stove and let us know what you think.
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I hate to keep beating this dead horse, but I still believe that the only way Turner remains a Dodger is if he is willing to accept a one-year deal with an option for a second year (and/or performance bonuses).
I believe that there is at least one team out there who will give him a multi-year deal for a considerable amount of money.
We’ll see. I think Friedman will give him a 2, perhaps 3rd year vesting option deal for total dollars JT wants, but keeps the AAV low. Of course, we may never know if someone (my pick is the Atlanta Braves, or the Washington Nationals) jumps up with a big offer. Both teams need a third baseman, but if the Braves get Turner their chances of going to the 2021 WS go up significantly.
Turner-Rios combo with Rios improving defensively would be ideal with JT getting rest when needed and at DH quite a bit.
Biggest problem is if Toronto loses out on Springer they could pivot to JT and offer something crazy like 3 at 70 something mil.
I am not sold on Rios as as defensive third baseman. No doubt he improved significantly from 2019, but still a .939 fielding average will not get the job done at third base. Fangraphs 2020 ultimate zone rating per 150 games (UZR/150) is a negative 24 runs (Justin Turner was a negative 3.5). Statistically, Max Muncy is much better at 3b than Rios, and Rios is the better first baseman.
If you had Tommy Kahnle on your radar…you are GM of the day.
I was just saying above that trying to predict what the front office will do, is tougher then correctly guessing jelly beans in a jar. Tommy Kahnle was not on my radar.
Not on my radar this Hot Stove season, but liked him for the Dodgers a couple of years ago. 20/20 hindsight, he is a typical Friedman signing for the pitching staff: Tommy John surgery, rehabbing for a year, and then a contributor the following year.