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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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Oct 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) pitches during the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs in game three of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) pitches during the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs in game three of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Los Angeles Dodgers

Let’s get real here. There are some solid destinations for Turner to go to, and many teams will be interested, but in all likelihood, Turner will be back in Dodger blue this year. Turner did turn down a qualifying offer, but that does not mean that he has any interest in leaving, or that they have no interest in him.

The Dodgers need Turner. That is in part why the extended the offer to him. This is an ownership that wants to spend money to win now. They have a stud pitcher in Clayton Kershaw and they know that every year without a World Series is a year that they wasted the aces talents. At this point, the Dodgers would be starting Rob Segedin at third base. They do not currently have a third base prospect ready to step in for 2017 either.

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On the other side, Turner may not even want to leave Los Angeles. In turning down his qualifying offer, he turned down a one-year deal. Turner, wanting to strike while the iron is hot, knows that he can get longer financial security by turning it down. Turner can go to other teams and essentially get a quote as to what his worth is in the league. He can give those numbers back to the Dodgers and tell them to match or beat those deals.

Also, with the Dodgers putting the qualifying offer out there for Turner, it means that any team that wants to sign Turner would also have to trade a draft pick. So while he is a free agent, it is not as “free” as some of the other players on the market. So, when adding up that every team has to spend more than the Dodgers to add Turner, that the Dodgers have admitted that they want, and need Turner and that Turner is a solid fit, and a player who may not want to move, the Dodgers are still the easy leaders in the clubhouse to be the team in which Turner plays for in 2017.

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