January 21st, 2021 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka It should come as a surprise to no one that with pitchers and catchers due to report for Spring Training in less than a month, the MLB rumor mill is running rampant, including several that involve the (thus far) relatively quiet Los Angeles Dodgers. Then again, this is very much Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman‘s M.O. this time of the year.
It should also come as no surprise that a good many of these rumors involve 36-year-old (now) free-agent third baseman Justin Turner – rumors like this one from MLB Network’s Jon Heyman:
(Photo credit – John E. McCoy)
While all of this is causing some anxiety for Dodger fans, the brutally honest truth is that it is Turner himself (along with his agent Greg Genske of VaynerBaseball) that may be preventing teams – including the Dodgers – from signing (or re-signing) the extremely popular bearded redhead. This from MLB Trade Rumors’ Connor Byrne:
“The Dodgers are seeking a right-handed-hitting infielder, and free-agent third baseman Justin Turner is their No. 1 choice, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network. While the team has shown interest in fellow righty-hitting infielder Marcus Semien, Heyman notes it may be difficult for the team to sign both players. Turner spent 2014-20 as a Dodger and has been one of the majors’ top hitters during his Los Angeles tenure. The 36-year-old is reportedly seeking a four-year contract, however, and it’s tough to envision the Dodgers or anyone else saying yes to that.”
Then again, perhaps this whole four-year thing is nothing more than a calculated ruse by the Long Beach, CA native and lifelong Dodger fan to intentionally prevent other teams from negotiating with him so that he can (eventually) come to a more realistic deal with Freidman and the Dodgers; a rather unusual way of doing business, but you just never know these days.
But Turner isn’t the only (now) free-agent former Dodger out there drawing interest. This also from Heyman:
There is no denying that Kiké Hernandez‘s versatility played a huge role defensively during the Dodgers World Series Championship 2020 season. But there is also no denying that he… well… sucked at the plate, with a regular-season slash line of .230 / .270 / .410 / .680 and a World Series slash line of .200 / .273 / .300 / .573; not exactly ideal when you are about to hit free agency.
And then there’s Trevor Bauer. This from ESPN’s Jeff Passan:
Although the 30-year-old North Hollywood, CA native who grew up a diehard Dodgers fan a mere 20 minutes from Chavez Ravine has often been linked (via rumors) to the Dodgers, especially in the past week or so, the chances that the oft-outspoken right-hander and third overall pick of the 2011 MLB draft (out of UCLA) actually ending up in Dodger Blue fall somewhere between slim and none. It’s not that the 2020 National League Cy Young award winner wouldn’t be a huge get for Friedman; he most certainly would. It’s that because of that aforementioned outspokenness, he might not be a good fit in the Dodgers clubhouse; and as we all know, chemistry matters.
(Photo credit – Kareem Elgazzar)
One can certainly argue that the Dodgers made it through the ‘Wild Horse’ years with eccentric outfielder Yasiel Puig (who, ironically, spent part of the 2019 season with Bauer in Cincinnati) helped the Dodgers to several Division titles. But he was a constant source of distraction both in and out of the Dodgers clubhouse.
Since Day-1 of the off-season, Bauer has been at the forefront of the MLB trade rumor mill. That said, he will also be among the most expensive catches for whoever lands him – something that Friedman must keep in mind while tiptoeing through the Competitive Balance Tax minefield. And though it goes without saying that the Dodgers could certainly use a guy who posted a National League-best 1.73 ERA in 2020 for the eventual NL Central third-place Reds (31-29), they most certainly do not need the baggage that Bauer would undoubtedly bring into a very close-knit Dodgers clubhouse.
Whereas the rumor mill has Andrew Friedman still very much in on Justin Turner and to a lesser extent on new papa Kiké Hernandez, the Trevor Bauer rumors remain just that – rumors.
…but you just never know.
‘In Andrew We Trust.’
Play Ball!
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Kiké not likely to return with Taylor on the roster, and Zach McKinstry ready for the majors. But, if the Dodgers are considering Marcus Semien I would rather have Kiké for the difference in salary. Kiké’s career wRC+ is 99 (1 pt below ML average), Semien is 105, but he was only above 100 once in his career (138 in 2019 when the ball was juiced). I don’t think any team will guarantee Kiké 500 plate appearances. IF Turner does not re-sign I could see Kiké platooning with Rios at 3b, giving Seager a day off every week, same for Bellinger, Pollock, and Betts. He would have at least 4 starts per week and likely have 400 plate appearances. Kiké’s only problem is trying to pull every pitch for 500′ home runs — if he ever buys into an all fields approach he would be a 3 WAR player as he was for the team in 2018.
Good analysis, Jesse. I agree. Between Taylor and Kike, I’d favor the latter. Taylor is also a fence swinger and strikes out way too much, but Kike beats him on defense.
I think it is a toss-up between Taylor and Hernandez; Taylor’s career wRC+ is 12 percentage points higher than Hernandez, but Kiké is by far the superior defensive player. Taylor is ~ 11.5 WAR in his career, Kiké 8.2. Here are some stats that I found interesting. You know how Taylor takes so many pitches while Corey Seager is notorious for swinging early in the count. When Taylor swings at the first pitch his BA is .369 with a .647 slugging percentage and a 1.026 OPS; when he swings with the count 1 ball and no strikes he hits .353/.655/1.020. And, with 2 balls and no strikes, an other worldly .457/.870/1.307. I believe there are some players who perform well even when behind in the count, but Taylor’s numbers seem to support him taking fewer pitches in his at bats, same as Seager.
Yeah i would rather keep kiki as well
The contract Brantley signed with Houston should be what JT gets. 2 yrs 32 mil. They are similar in age and quality.
I think we need to sign Turner and let Kike walk. Sign Semien to replace Kike. We definitely need to resign Joc Pederson.
One correction, Puig and Bauer weren’t teammates as your article states. They were involved in the same trade that sent Puig to Cleveland and Bauer to Cincy. It was a three team trade with SD also involved.
Not that I’ve been paying all that much attention, but a while back Bauer stated how he really really wanted to play for the Dodgers. Then later he claimed he really, really wanted to play for the Yankees. He looks to be flash marketing like he’s Neon Deon. O half expect him to sogn a deal with Papa Johns and throw out Sanders truing to steal a footlong.
Bauer to Dodgers if they don’t sign Turner and trade David Price
I don’t see anyone trading for Price. Signing Bauer stifles May’s and Gonsolin’s development. I’m all in for JT and willing to wait for the trade deadline fire sales for additional help if the youngsters are scuffling.
I should have done a better job of clarifying that reply. Only way Bauer becomes a Dodger is if do not re-sign Turner and trade Price. Very doubtful that will happen