December 5th, 2020 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka With COVID-19 numbers hitting record highs almost daily, there is an increasing chance that if there is a 2021 MLB season, it will very much resemble that of the just-concluded 2020 season and postseason. In other words, it will (probably) again have a limited number of fans in the stands and will be a less-than-162-game regular season, perhaps as few as 81(-ish).
Although the current (so-called) Hot Stove Season appears to resemble those of ‘the good old days,’ there is one very significant issue that seems to have fallen through the cracks for MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and MLB Players Association executive director Tony Clark – the Universal DH rule; at least until the next Collective Bargaining Agreement is in place, which will not happen until after the 2021 season.
As much as old-school “No DH in the NL” fans balk at the mere thought of a Universal DH – and there are many – the ‘special’ rule for the COVID-19-shortened 60-game 2020 regular season (and subsequent postseason) not only worked, it worked exceptionally well. So well, in fact, that if you polled those old-school “No DH in the NL” fans, the results would probably surprise you.
As most baseball fans know, that Universal DH rule for 2020 was agreed upon by the MLB and the MLBPA in a special CBA, which also included an automatic runner on second base in extra innings and a three-batter minimum rule for relief pitchers. The latter two were going to happen anyway and will continue in the future – COVID-19 notwithstanding.
However, the Universal DH rule abruptly ended when Dodgers left-hander Julio Urías struck out Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Willy Adames to give the Dodgers their first World Series Championship since 1988. As such, and as it stands right now, there is no agreement between MLB and the MLBPA for the Universal DH rule to continue in what will most assuredly be another modified season in 2021.
Without question, one of the biggest issues National League teams are facing right now is not knowing if the Universal DH rule will be in play in 2021 (and beyond) as they negotiate off-season trades and re-signings. But this is not just a National League concern. AL teams wishing to trade – or trade for – a new DH for 2021 are also affected.
This is most certainly an issue for Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman, who must decide whether or not to re-sign (now) free-agent third baseman Justin Turner for 2021 and possibly beyond. Turner, who celebrated his 36th birthday on November 23 and who had an excellent 2020 regular season (.307 / .400 / .460 / .860 with four home runs and 23 RBI) and respectable postseason (.250 / .333 / .471 / .804 with three home runs and six RBI), would be an excellent candidate to be the Dodgers (almost) everyday DH while also platooning at third base with Edwin Rios or perhaps someone else that Friedman might be eyeballing this off-season … say, like, perennial All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado.
But let’s be brutally honest here. Despite his extreme importance and popularity in the Dodgers clubhouse and the community, Turner’s best years are clearly behind him. For Friedman to re-sign the extremely popular bearded redhead to even a one-year free-agent contract not knowing if there will be a DH in the NL in 2021 (and beyond) could be risky for the man just named MLB’s Executive of the Year.
(Photo credit – Harry How)
Although a permanent Universal DH will not officially happen until that CBA following the 2021 season, if you are a betting man, you should probably put your money down on a Universal DH happening in what figures to be yet another COVID-19-shortened season in 2021.
Play Ball!
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I don’t think the universal DH is an obstacle for re-signing Turner, he isn’t as good defensively as a couple of years ago, but isn’t horrible. In fact, at 36, he is significantly better than Rios at third base. There is no doubt in my mind that the DH is here to stay, if not in 2021, then 2022 for sure. My prediction several weeks ago was that spring training 2021 will be delayed, and the regular season will not begin until mid / late May with 120 to 130 games in regular season. Turner playing roughly 100 games (70 at third and 30 at first) should keep him fresh for the playoffs. 2022 he becomes the primary DH and backup at third and first.
I’m still not convinced Andrew re-signs him.
There … I said it.
Are you Chris Rock?
Unless we are trading for ARenado,JT will be back at third base.
The universal DH, one way or the other, will not prevent the Dodgers from re-signing Turner, but I do believe a team like the Braves, Blue Jays, Cardinals could make a better offer. All three of those teams (and likely a couple that I am overlooking) need a third baseman to have a much better shot of going to the 2021 World Series. The head of Braves baseball operations, Alex Anthpoulos, has a track record of making those kinds of deals to get his team positioned for the Fall Classic, and what could be better than making the Braves better while weakening the team standing in the way of the World Series. The Blue Jays have reportedly talked with JT, and the Cardinals could use his bat and glove now.
I think the odds are in favor of Turner re-signing with the Dodgers, but…