January 11th, 2021 at 9:10 am 
by Ron Cervenka If we have learned anything from Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman, it is to expect the unexpected. I mean, who can honestly say that they expected the 44-year-old Dodgers executive to: A) acquire (now) 28-year-old outfielder Mookie Betts, arguably one of the best players in the game today and a slamdunk future Hall of Famer, and: B) re-sign Betts to an enormous 12-year/$365 million contract extension during one of the most difficult seasons in Major League Baseball’s 151-year history?
All Betts did was finish the 2020 season with a World Series ring after posting a .292/.366/.562/.927 slash line, with 16 home runs and 39 RBI in 55 games during the COVID-19-shortened 60-game 2020 regular season.
If you are into MLB rumors and speculation, Friedman may be at it again; this time with 32-year-old Visalia, CA native free-agent infielder DJ LeMahieu, who is reportedly upset with the New York Yankees for not having already re-signed him to “at least” the five-year/$110 million contract he is seeking to remain in the Bronx. This from MLB Network Radio’s Jim Bowden:
“The Dodgers are in the mix for LeMahieu’s services, but like the Yankees don’t appear willing to offer a five-year contract nor the average annual value LeMahieu’s agent Joel Wolfe is hoping to get.”
(Photo credit – Sarah Stier)
Then again, if Turner is seeking a four-year deal at age 36 that would take him through his age-40 season, why would Friedman bite on giving LeMahieu a five-year deal that would take him through his age-37 season?
The obvious answer is that 37 is not 40. However, per Wikipedia* (and as of this writing) there are currently 28 active MLB players age 37 or older.
(*Wikipedia disclaimer: “This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness.”
All of this said, there hasn’t been a peep from Andrew Friedman on any of this.
…nor is one expected.
Stay tuned…
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I think DJLM would be a good fit for LA. They don’t necessarily need another 30+ home run bat. Someone with solid contact skills + patience to get on base would be valuable, especially in the 3 spot bending Betts and Seager and ahead of Munch, Smith and Bellinger.
I’m starting to think LA will get Marcus Semien though. It seems like his market is down, and could be had at something of a bargain (similar to AJ Pollack a couple years ago). Not quite a guy for the 3 spot in the lineup, unless he got back to his 2019 level. But if he were willing to play 3rd, 2nd and SS, he would have value in versatility. Something of an upgrade over Kike sans outfield.
Which LeMahieu will the Dodgers get for 4 years and $88M (my guess)? The one who tore up the AL with the Yankees, or the one who was a great defensive player in Colorado, but career offense less than ML average (wRC )? Even with the 1.4 years with the Yankees, LeMahieu’s career wRC is only ML average 100 while Turner is 30 points higher in his career, and closer to 40 points higher as a Dodger. IMO, a hard pass on LeMahieu even if it requires signing Turner for 3 years. I think Semien could be in play for the Dodgers, but must remember that his only above average offensive year was 2019 with the juiced ball. For me, I would rather have Kiké return, perhaps to share third base with Edwin Rios if Turner doesn’t return.
I have always admired your (and everybody’s) passion for Turner. But if he truly cares about the Dodgers and Dodger fans as much as he lets on, he will accept a two-year deal from Friedman. If he is unwilling to do so, DLTDHYITAOTWO.
@Dodgers We got the best one in the country @djsevere … but we could also use another DJ in the infield.