Los Angeles Dodgers Set to Bring Back Justin Turner
Well, the hits just keep on coming, don’t they? It’s being widely reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers will agree to terms with Justin Turner on a four-year $64 million contract.
The deal was the second major development from the Los Angeles Dodgers camp today as they also closed a deal with Kenley Jansen that will bring him back to the Dodgers for five years at $80 million.
For the Dodgers, this puts them with the Mets and their signing of Yeonis Cespedes , which is about even when compared to the team each had last year. These were moves that they had to make if they expected to remain competitive with the Giants who filled their biggest hole by signing closer Mark Melancon last week during the Winter Meetings.
Dodgers End The Wild Ride Of Justin Turner
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For Justin Turner, it’s been a wild ride since he turned down the $17.2 million Qualifying Offer he received from the Dodgers, selecting free agency instead. His troubles developed through when teams seeking to sign him realized that it was going to cost them a top draft pick. Although it impacted Turner this year, the new CBA relieves those pressures for teams and players alike.
The Jensen signing has to be another kick in the butt for the Washington Nationals who were openly pursuing him . The Jansen signing also turns attention away from the closer market, that except maybe for Greg Holland is now dried up, and towards the position players who are still unsigned.
MLB Is Watching
What remains a mystery though in today’s developments is where the Los Angeles Dodgers are getting the cash to make these deals. Because (supposedly), the Dodgers were under the watchful eye of MLB , and their payroll was the main focus of attention. And after the dust has settled on both of these deals, we are bound to hear more on that.
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But for today, there is joy in Dodgerland as they wrap up (will they dare to spend even more) a offseason that was looking rather shaky. They brought 36 year old Rich Hill back into the fold earlier to begin the alumni reunion, but questions remain. Can they withstand the upcoming challenge of the Giants, and if they get beyond them, do they have enough to pass the Cubs?