Let's Set Odds: Where Will Trea Turner Sign in Free Agency?
By Peter Dewey
Major League Baseball’s hot stove is beginning to heat up, with several players declining their qualifying offers on Tuesday.
Among those players was shortstop Trea Turner, who spent last season with the Los Angeles dodgers. Turner, Carlos Correa, Dansby Swanson and Xander Bogaerts highlight one of the best shortstop classes in recent memory at the shortstop position.
Qualifying offer results:
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 15, 2022
Rejected: Aaron Judge, Trea Turner, Xander Bogaerts, Jacob deGrom, Dansby Swanson, Carlos Rodón, Brandon Nimmo, Willson Contreras, Chris Bassitt, Anthony Rizzo, Nathan Eovaldi
Accepted: Joc Pederson, Martín Perez
Signed elsewhere: Tyler Anderson
The Dodgers allowed Corey Seager to walk in free agency last offseason, which seemingly paved the way for the team to keep Turner to be the shortstop of the future. However, there are other teams that will attempt to pry him away from Los Angeles in the offseason.
Here at BetSided, we set some hypothetical odds for Turner’s next team as the MLB offseason kicks off:
Odds for Where Trea Turner Will Sign in Free Agency
- Los Angeles Dodgers: +130
- Philadelphia Phillies: +150
- The Field: +200
- Chicago Cubs: +300
Los Angeles Dodgers (+130)
The Dodgers extended a qualifying offer to Turner, so even if he leaves they will get draft compensation in return.
The team is comfortable with Gavin Lux at shortstop, one of the team’s top young players, but it also will test the free-agent market as well.
Andrew Friedman said #Dodgers "will have discussions with the other free agent shortstops as well while Trea (Turner) is going out and exploring things on his end."
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) November 9, 2022
Also said they "feel good" about Gavin Lux taking over as every-day SS if it plays out that way.
While it seems like the Dodgers aren’t sold on Turner coming back, I still have them as the favorite given their ability to build a winner and the fact that they let Seager walk to be in this exact position.
Philadelphia Phillies (+150)
The Phillies seem to be the best bet to pry Turner away from the Dodgers, and he reportedly would love to play with his former Washington Nationals teammate Bryce Harper again.
"A lot of people here at the meetings believe the Phillies are perhaps the most likely landing spot of all...Trea would love to play with Bryce again."@jonmorosi reports on Trea Turner's market from the GM meetings in Vegas. 👀 #MLBNHotStove pic.twitter.com/bV6S6UadU5
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 10, 2022
Fresh off a trip to the World Series, the Phillies are looking to upgrade their roster, specifically their lineup with Turner’s dynamic skill set.
Adding Turner alongside Bryson Stott in the infield could make Philly a perennial contender in the NL East.
The Field (+200)
There are several other teams that could make a push for Turner, including the St. Louis Cardinals, Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees, who all could use an upgrade at the shortstop position.
The bright side is Turner can move around and play a little outfield too, and his elite speed and athleticism makes him one of the more interesting players in free agency this offseason.
Chicago Cubs (+300)
The Cubs appear to be in on a shortstop, and according to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, Turner and Correa are the team’s top targets this offseason.
“The two main guys the #Cubs are showing the most interest in right now are Carlos Correa & Trea Turner,” per @jonmorosi. pic.twitter.com/vD4tZGtrDY
— Cubs Zone ™️ (@CubsZone) November 15, 2022
The question is whether or not Turner is willing to deal with what has become a bit of a rebuild in Chicago, as the team wasn’t ever really in the playoff race last season. If Chicago is willing to put up the money for Turner, it could pry him away from Los Angeles.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.