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MLB Free Agency 2017: 5 potential teams for Justin Turner

By Parker Hurley

Jul 15, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner (10) hits a solo home run during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 15, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner (10) hits a solo home run during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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As the hot stove heats up, and we head into MLB free agency, Justin Turner will be a big name to watch.

Turner rejected a qualifying offer from the Dodgers and is opting for free agency. This makes a lot of sense for him. Turner is now 31 years old and is coming off of two of his most productive seasons. In 2015, he hit .294 and in 2016 he hit 27 home runs and finished in eighth in the MVP voting. If there were ever a time to cash in, now would be it. With that said, who would be best suited to sign Turner, and what would the best fits be?

Here are the potential teams to sign Justin Turner…

San Francisco Giants

The Giants are right on the doorstep of being a championship team. Stealing Turner from their division rival could turn similarly to the Chicago Cubs stealing Jason Heyward from the Cardinals.

The Giants are a pretty stout team, but there is a hole at third base. The team traded Matt Duffey during the trade deadline and added Eduardo Nunez, who is best served as a utility player. Conor Gillaspie had some big moments, but he is not a starter quality player. Last season, Gillaspie and Nunez combined for 151 games played last season and posted a combined WAR of 2.1. Turner played in 151 games for the Dodgers and had a 5.6 WAR.  

Turner is a great buy for the sake of winning now in San Francisco. This team has been adamant that they are continuing to push to win the World Series every year. It showed in their signing of Johnny Cueto last season. They have to know that they cannot walk into the next season with Gillaspie or Nunez starting at third base, and it is the biggest hole on the team. The Giants should be major players for Turner.

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