December 18th, 2022 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka It’s one of those things that’s been in the back of the mind of every Dodgers fan for the past couple of seasons but nobody wants to talk (or hear) about – a Dodgers team without their unofficial team captain and the very heart and soul of the team.
I am, of course, referring to extremely popular 38-year-old Long Beach, CA native and longtime Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner, who became a free agent when the final out of Game-4 of the 2022 National League Division Series on Saturday, October 15, 2022 against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park was recorded.
But the brutally painful truth is that, in all likelihood, Game-2 of that NLDS on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, may have been Turner’s final game in a Dodgers uniform at Dodger Stadium, and Game-4 on October 15, 2022, at Petco Park his last as a Dodgers … ever.
As every Dodgers fan on the planet knows by now, early Saturday evening, it was being widely reported that Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman had signed 35-year-old five-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger J.D. Martinez to a one-year/$10 million contract to (undoubtedly) be the Dodgers primary Designated Hitter next season. And though this is (undoubtedly) the role that Turner would have occupied had Friedman re-signed him, and barring an absolute miracle (such as JT’s willingness to accept a ridiculously low and ridiculously unfair offer from Friedman), the extremely popular redhead will either:
- Be wearing a different uniform in 2023, or:
- Retire from the game after 15 seasons as a Dodger.
Will @redturn2 be wearing a Dodgers uniform in 2023?
Stay tuned…
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@Dodgers JT is one of my favorite players. I’m hoping something equitable to both sides can be done. His leadership in the clubhouse is invaluable.
I don’t think he will retire. Would the Dodgers trade CT3 ($15M AAV) to re-sign JT?
I don’t know, Jesse, JT’s loyalty to the Dodgers and especially to Dodgers fans is of the likes I have never seen before in this game … and I’m old. He certainly does not need the money.
I would love nothing more than for Friedman keep him on-board in a coaching role rather than see him sign elsewhere.
My guess is that we will know for sure within the next day or two.
Won’t trade ct3 too versatile, plus is probably back up shortstop.
Also we are still about 20 mil under the luxury tax.
Room for more deals??
Wood you trade the Catcher phenom prospect and Pepiot
And Outman for Roberts??
I think the Dodgers are leaving payroll room for the return of Trevor Bauer and his $32M salary. Which “Roberts” are you thinking of in the proposed trade?
JT is not going to retire. He will get a gig with another team. Gonna be sad to see him go. Wish we could trade Muncy and Taylor. Then resign JT.
I’d love to see JT become a Dodger for life in some capacity. He and Kourtney have SoCal in their blood. I can’t imagine them fitting in as well anywhere else.
1,000%
SS still free agents
Iglesias solid hitter plus defender
Elvis And Russ solid player good base stealer. Also Brandon Drury utility player.
Some guy name JT Big red. Third base.
I think Iglesias would be a good signing if the price is reasonable.
JT to the Red Sox. 2 years/$22M with opt out. Or $14M with $8M player option for 2024. Good luck JT. It was a good run. You will be missed.
I just heard that JT signed with the Red Sox. Very sad. I will miss him and still wear my Turner #10 jersey proudly.
MLB is big business, and we fans are occasionally reminded of that when the Dodgers allow certain players to leave; JT is the most recent example. Dodgers have disappointed me in the past when Duke Snider, Gil Hodges, Frank Howard, Maury Wills, Tommy Davis and others were traded/sold to other team — more recently Corey Seager and now JT. I love the game of baseball but hate the business of MLB.
The Dodgers probably offered JT the same deal as JDM. 1 yr 10 mil. JT wanted 2 yrs, unwilling to bet on himself.
Forget about Ohtani: we have
Urias Buehler and Will Smith all needing to get paid. With the approach we have now are we going to lose all 3?
I am pessimistic about the Dodgers signing Urias in free agency. Rodon’s 6-year, $162M contract will be the starting point for Urias unless he is injured this season. And, Scott Boras is his agent.
With Kershaw nearing the end of his HOF career his 20 mil can be put towards Urias. I share your concern with respect to Boras.
On a different note: Vargas at Dodger stadium working on 3b defense. Could be a difference maker this guy could have a breakout yr 300 38 doubles 90 RBI(though they don’t count anymore).
I read that Vargas is working on his defense, did not read that it was specifically third base. I think the Dodgers infield defense will really struggle with Muncy at 2b and Vargas at 3b. And Lux may only be average at SS. For me, I hope Vargas is working on his defense in LF. Dodgers are not saying much about Jacob Amaya, but his SS defense is reportedly the best in the entire organization. If he can be just an average hitter then putting him at SS with Lux at 2b and Muncy at third is a much better defensive alignment.
How bout conforto for LF?
I think that is a good option as long as his shoulder is 100%. We Dodgers fans have experienced players trying to return after shoulder surgery and the results in first season have not been good.
JP but as you say if we can aquire a SS in a trade and play Outman CT3 Thompson and Vargas in the outfield Lux would play 2b and Muncy plays third.
Evaluating the offense
Loss of JT replaced by JD M.
Trea Turner and Bellringer. Combined they hit 255 with 35 homers. Trea is great but Belly was awful. So I think we can replace their offense with production in CF way better than Belly.
I would be happy with Andrus or Iglesias added at shortstop.