February 2nd, 2021 at 8:00 am 
by 0799291000348 Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association are once again at loggerheads. This has become standard operating procedure for these two antagonists who, by all appearances, are willing to tear the goose asunder rather than share its Golden Egg.
MLB submitted a proposal to the players union on Friday, January 29, that appeared to be a reasonable approach for Spring Training and the regular season, seemingly deserving of further consideration. But what has also become SOP for the Players Association, the proposal was outright rejected without a counterproposal even being offered
MLB did what one would expect when the other party stonewalls, calling out the Players Association for failing to counteroffer and issuing a statement which, in part, stated:
“In light of the MLBPA’s rejection of our proposal, and their refusal to counter our revised offer this afternoon, we are moving forward and instructing our Clubs to report for an on-time start to Spring Training and the Championship Season, subject to reaching an agreement on health and safety protocols.”
OK, pretty typical negotiating stuff. But for the Dodgers, it may be the deciding factor to move on from re-signing 36-year-old free-agent Justin Turner and implementing ‘Plan-B’ for third base in 2021. With the universal Designated Hitter for the National League, Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman was more likely to offer a longer contract to Turner. But with the Players Association impasse, the DH in the NL is off the table – at least for now.
What exactly is Plan B? Is it signing a surprise third baseman like 28-year-old one-time Philadelphia Phillies top prospect Maikel Franco or soon-to-be (on February 12) 35-year old veteran Todd Frazier? Or trading for a third baseman like 29-year-old Cincinnati Reds Eugenio Suarez or 29-year-old Chicago Cubs Kris Bryant? Or will the Dodgers stay in-house with Max Muncy, Edwin Rios, Chris Taylor, or Will Smith at the hot corner?
To be determined.
But with players scheduled to report for Spring Training on February 15, 2021, and the Dodgers first Cactus League game scheduled for February 27, 2021, the team appears closer to implementing its contingency Plan-B – whatever that may be – unless Turner is willing to compromise on his previous contract demands.
Stay tuned…
* * * * * *
Posted in 
How much would the drop off be with a Franco/Rios platoon. Also factoring in:
Muncy 3B
LUX 2b
Rios 1B
occassionally.
How much is the loss of JT???
I am concerned that the fall off could be substantial — I think Turner is terrific. But the Dodgers may not have a choice unless they and Turner work out a compromise — and that is certainly possible.
Maikel Franco has been an enigma ever since 2015 in what appeared to be breakout season for the young star. Phillies did not make a contract offer in 2019 making him a free agent, and that may have been the impetus for him to mature as he had a fine year with the Royals in 2020, playing in all 60 games, above average fielding at third base, and a 106 wRC+. He cut his hair, leaving the dreads behind, and according to him focused on baseball. In 2020 he had a 128 wRC+ against LH pitching (a tick above average agains RH’ers at 101), so a platoon with Rios could be a fall back position if he does not win a full time job.
If Dodgers signed Franco he would be joining them at age 28, Turner started his Dodgers career at age 29.
1b – Rios
2b – Muncy
3b – Franco
SS – Seager
A slightly above average defensive infield, with with the potential to put up some big offensive numbers.
Of course, the Dodgers could sign Turner to share third with Rios, and sign Franco to play first and third. Franco’s defensive stats at first are excellent, but only 67 innings at the position.
Turner didn’t get his first extra-base hit, RBI, and home run until games 6 of NLCS in fact he went 7 for 25 with 1 home run 2 double in NLCS. Nothing until game 6. Do we really need him back so bad?
In the NLCS against the Braves Turners OPS was .859; World Series 1.066. 2020 regular season .860, 2019 – .881. Yes, Dodgers still need him; he has more in the tank to contribute at least for two more seasons
and 2 more as part time 3b and dh in 23 and 4
The problem is without JT we are very left-handed so we need to get a big bat righty.
Seager bells Muncy Rios Beatty Lefty.
Will Smith CT3 Betts Pollock.
GUGE he isms the heart and sole of the team
I have made it abundantly clear that I would be ok with bringing back Turner on a two-year deal, perhaps with a team option for a third. But like Andrew Friedman, I would never even consider bringing him back on a four-year deal – not for one second.
I have been blessed to witness Turner’s veteran leadership in the Dodgers clubhouse firsthand and can assure you that it is unparalleled. Unfortunately, I have also witnessed him on the DL for various injuries, many of which were age-related. This will undoubtedly continue as he ages even more – certainly over the next two seasons and without question over the next four.
As I see it, because of the Players Association’s refusal to even negotiate with MLB over the 2021 season, and with the DH in the NL now off the table, Turner (and his agent) will have only a few days to reconsider that four-year thing. If they are unwilling to do so, he will never again play for the Dodgers; of this, you can be sure.
Especially at 20 million per. If I was JT I would look for the best 2 yr deal I could get from the Dodgers, and not even worry about 2 years from now.
You can sign another 2 1 yr deals after the contract ends.
Zackly.
I think JT can sign today with Braves, Blue Jays, or Nationals if he will take a 2 year deal plus a third year vesting option. Especially Blue Jays who have the DH for sure.
I’d add Eduardo Escobar into the plan B mix. Snakes will trade for a moderate prospect. He hits lefties, plays all 3b, SS, and 2B. Switch hits off the bench. He can platoon/relief 3 positions. Thats a lot of versatility and the dodgers love versatility. On a 1 year 8 mil deal.
I am not a fan of Escobar. He was terrific in 2019 hitting with juiced baseballs and a very hitter friendly home park in AZ (Chase Field). That season his OPS at home was a robust .891, on the road only .774. If the team is going to trade for a third baseman I would rather see them acquire Eugenio Suarez from the Reds, or Kris Bryant from the Cubs.
I’m looking only at the .880 OPS against lefties in 2019. He’s not going to hit against righties with the Dodger lineup. Platoon him with Rios at third, give a day off to Seager or Lux. It’s that versatility I appreciate. My bias is that I want to see Rios every day against Right handed pitching. Third is the only option for that as I don’t see a platoon with Pollack. If it doesn’t work out there will be a robust deadline market. You don’t need an all Star at every position and you have to blend in low cost players who could be stars like they did last year with pitching when they neglected to resign RYU (almost won the CY) and hill and tried to trade Stripling before the season started. Belli and Muncy struggled offensively last year and the Dodgers were still an all time EPIC offense (DH helped) especially in relationship to their pitching. The dodgers have to plot a course that includes paying Belli, Seager, Betts, and WB long term along with every other position. The attitude of Many Dodger fans would have buried Belli and Seager under high priced FA and trades.
I would rather sign Todd Frazier for a year to platoon at third base, or Maikel Franco. Another option is to use Will Smith at third base, or second base with Ruiz and Barnes handling most (not all) of the catching duties.
If there’s a DH in the NL, forget turner and get your right handed bat in Ozuna, with Rios/Taylor platooning 3rd. Or Cruz on a 1 year and give yourself the flexibility to go after Bryant or the SS market (potentially extending Seager and moving him to 3rd too). I don’t see a DH all of a sudden changing Friedman’s lack of interest in going 3 years for Turner, and there’s 0 chance he gives him 4. That would be insanity, DH or not. Dude is still solid, but objectively in decline. Nobody needs a 39/40 Turner on their books, and clearly no one is offering that to him, or he would have taken it already.
I like the idea of adding Ozuna, but I think the team needs a solid third baseman as well. Rios defense has improved a great deal at third, but his advanced defensive stats at the position in 2020 remained well below average. His best defensive position is first base, not even close. The Dodgers could still stay below the $240M payroll level (the level if passed impacts their draft position next June) and sign both Ozuna and Turner. Of course, it would be better if they could trade a contract like Joe Kelly’s ($8.3M).
Would you trade Lux and Gonsolin or White and Rios and Luxfor Suarez
Not for Suarez alone. I would trade Lux and White for Suarez; or, Rios and White. To include Gonsolin the trade would have to be expanded to include another player, like Nick Senzel. Lux, Gonsolin, and Matt Beaty for Suarez and Senzel