Dodgers: 3 All-Stars LAD can still sign this offseason

2. Justin Turner

The Dodgers almost need to bring back Justin Turner at this point.

It’s admittedly pretty bizarre that the Justin Turner contract saga still isn’t resolved, but given the reported mutual interest between both sides to get a deal done, you have to think an agreement will be reached at some point in the near future.

The holdup in negotiations seems to boil down to Turner’s desire for a four-year contract, which is a tall ask for a player who turned 36 at the start of the offseason. His production is still spectacular, but the proverbial drop-off can happen at any point between now and the next four years, with it most likely coming in the latter stages of that timeframe.

Taking that into account, it’s understandable why the Dodgers are playing hardball. At the same time, however, we’re talking about somebody who was instrumental in their championship run in 2020, batting .307/.400/.460 with 46 hits, 23 RBI and 26 runs scored over 42 games, and then coming through in the clutch in October.

To put it simply, Turner is the only elite-caliber player remaining on the open market that could fill Los Angeles’ need for a right-handed-hitting third baseman. It doesn’t sit right that both sides don’t seem close to agreeing to terms on a new deal, but given the competing market (or lack thereof) for his services, we firmly believe he’ll end up back with the Dodgers when all is said and done.