January 5th, 2021 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka You have to start somewhere and it is fully understood and generally accepted that the first offer – by either side – in ‘good-faith’ free-agent contract negotiations most certainly will not be the final offer. But when MLB Trade Rumors reported on Monday afternoon that 36-year-old (now) former Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner is seeking a four-year free-agent deal, that ‘good faith’ thing went flying out the door and very well may have slammed it shut for the 12-year MLB veteran.
To be brutally honest and meaning absolutely no disrespect whatsoever to the extremely popular Long Beach, CA native and former All-Star, it ain’t gonna happen.
This from MLBTR:
“Third baseman Justin Turner is looking for a four-year contract, but the Dodgers don’t want to go above two years, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times writes. Turner spent the previous seven seasons as a member of the Dodgers, with whom he went from afterthought to star. The problem is that he’s now 36 years old, so the Dodgers (and other teams) may not be all that eager to commit to Turner on a long-term basis. MLBTR predicted at the beginning of the offseason that Turner would ink a two-year, $24MM deal.”
Again, meaning absolutely no disrespect whatsoever to Turner, anything beyond a two-year deal (or at most a two-year deal with a performance-based option for a third year) goes beyond ludicrous and is arguably among the most ridiculous “offers” ever made by Greg Genske of the newly formed (in July) VaynerBaseball agency.
Here again, Turner’s (Genske’s) offer is only the opening salvo and an obvious negotiating ploy to make an eventual two-year offer appear all the more attractive to the Dodgers or any other team looking for a 36-year-old / 12-year MLB veteran third baseman – albeit one with a very impressive .292 career batting average. But it would most certainly be in JT’s best interest for his agent to take a step back and submit a more reasonable – and realistic – offer before Friedman’s door closes for good.
…if it hasn’t already.
Play Ball!
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Posted in 
This is unbelievable. I never expected this.
Turners agents must think they have to ask for four, and end up down to 3 years if LA is only offering 2 years. This is such a dumb situation thanks to the league and the up in the air DH situation. Stretching to 3 years wouldn’t be unreasonable with a DH next year and beyond. But 3 years will result in a knock on AAV of a deal too. Nelson Cruz may be only DH worth mid teens millions in late 30’s. 2 years and an option worth about $12 million a year is about as far as I think Friedman will offer at present.
Ask for four to hopefully compromise at three, and eventually agree on two with third year option that vests by Turner achieving plate appearances threshold. The owners have done a good job of flooding the market with free agents with non-tenders, and DFA waivers, creating a large supply while controlling demand in the season before the CBA expires. As long as Turner and his representatives are willing to be flexible in how to structure a contract, I believe a fair deal will be struck with the Dodgers.
JT played something like 66% of our games at 3b. No way he’s getting 4years at 75-80 mil.
Plan B
Bryant trade
Suarez trade
Lemahieu free agent
I say no to ARenado and his millions.
Platoon of a righty third baseman with Rios?
Or a little creativity
Sign Joc P and Kiki for JTs 💰.
Then move Belly to 1b Muncy to 3b Kiki lux at 2b. Betts to Cf or Pollock. Joc P Ct3 to LF.
Another option is Marcus Semien for third base who could also back up Seager.
Turner for 2 years, maybe, anything beyond 2 years, no.
i would give him the three and possibly the four (to lower the AAV)
BUT only if he would wave his 10/5 rights as Karros did.
If he can no longer play 3rd but his bat still swings and he can play 1st, there is more than enough flexibility on this roster to accommodate that. If the DH doesn’t come back and he can no longer play the field, trade him to the AL.
of course i’m a businessman and would try to get the best deal possible through performance based options and/or delayed payments but ultimately i think he still has three good years in him.
Interesting point about the 10/5 rights. Turner would not reach those rights until 172 MLB service days in the third year, so may not come into play. Turner and his representative could negotiate a no trade clause as a quid pro quo for agreeing to a contract less than 4 years, or a financial impact if he is traded.
How bout signing both Kiki and Joc P and a veteran 3b right hand hitter like David Freeze type and let JT go to Toronto.
I think Kiké could play third base very well; he could platoon with Edwin Rios. I don’t see the Dodgers bringing him back plus a player like Todd Frazier.
I love Kike.
I’m learning to love Rios.
Neither of them can hit .300 with power and lift a line-up that is struggling. Mookie can, but giving him help is warranted.
Right now both sides of all potential deals are posturing. In saying that Friedman has a way of rewriting a players request to better fit his projected plan. Turner being the local boy playing on his dream team and him being that dream teams former captain gives him the nod forward at the end of this race. Just my thinking…
Boras if he has any say in the matter wont just allow a trade without gaining something of an advantage. But even if he has no say, he can show that he isn’t all that peachy and that in itself would go against Friedmans idesals of good chemistry.
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Arenado plays for a rival.
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Top Dollar DJ is gonna collect top dollar.
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Trading for the guy in Cincy is a risk, and they don’t necessarily have to upgrade at 3rd asap.
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Again just my thoughts.
Not sure if your Boras reference was meant for Turner, but Boras does not represent JT, Greg Genske of VaynerBaseball agency does – as noted in the article.
He represents Chris Bryant does he not??? I thought I said as much. My bad, I have low oxygen levels and miss things a lot when I try to type or text. I was just saying that I think Boras will try and use leverage in any impending trade.
I still think Turner will be the one to eventually work out a deal. I am just assuming, I have no concrete evidence however.
My bad again…
I text from a small phone with poor eye-sight as well. I don’t always match up the threads with my comments. This is easier when I am on a laptop.