4 potential Dodgers replacements for Justin Turner after 2022 season

3. Jose Ramirez

Perhaps the Dodgers could just go after Jose Ramirez, have him flip between second, third and DH for the time being, and then profit moving forward?

Ever since Francisco Lindor left Cleveland, Ramirez has seemed ticketed for the next train out, though the Guardians have somehow not only not pulled the trigger here, but haven’t really even leaked the rumors into the mainstream.

Ramirez, a legitimate MVP candidate and game-changer in his prime, can hit free agency after 2022 (but he has a team option for 2023 that’ll likely be picked up). We’d advocate the Dodgers make the deal this offseason (or at the deadline), then knock that team option into the Pacific Ocean and extend both Ramirez and Trea Turner next offseason.

Boom. Contention window reopened.

Ramirez posted 6.7 WAR last season splitting his time between third base and DH, and hasn’t played much second since 2017 (71 games, he finished third in the MVP race) and 2018 (16 games, he also finished third in the MVP race), but could probably man the position again for the time being.

He could also rest up for 20-30 DH games after Muncy works himself back to full health.

Damn the positional adjustments for now. It’ll work itself out. When there’s a 28-year-old, 141 OPS+ bat on the trade market and you need infield depth (and you have a mega-budget and fertile farm system), you pull the trade trigger now and worry about the JT questions next offseason.

2. Miguel Vargas

Now, here’s where things get interesting. We’re talking about more of a succession plan than a free agent replacement here, but maybe that’s preferable if the Dodgers want to continue the relationship with Turner beyond 2022 regardless?

At some point, top prospect Miguel Vargas seems ticketed for third base. It’s just a matter of when.

Freshly 22 years old, Vargas finished the 2021 season with not just a Double-A cameo, but significant experience at the level, banking 83 games and triple-slashing .321/.386/.523 with 16 bombs.

In other words, he’ll start in Tulsa again when the season opens, but it might not take long before he’s knocking on the door of Triple-A Oklahoma City — and there’s no real reason to keep him on the farm too long if he’s continuing to bash upper-level pitching.

A team with high expectations like the Dodgers won’t hand a rookie the keys to a premium position like third base on Opening Day with no insurance policy, but Turner could be one hell of a tutor in his later years to a kid who’s likely the most impressive threat LA has produced at the hot corner since Adrian Beltre.

Transitions to the next generation are always awkward, but if the Dodgers have Vargas knocking on the door by the deadline, they’ll either have to put him in their 2023 plans or ship him elsewhere. Weaning Turner off third base anyway could give them a great excuse.

Typically, bulked-up shortstop prospects eventually move to third. Vargas, mostly full grown, is already there. It’s nearly time for him to take the next step, and for all baseball fans to learn his name.

Of course … there is one other option that’d be a bit more stereotypically “Dodgers”.

1. Nolan Arenado

Remember him? California boy, ideal trade target if he hadn’t been a Rockies star, shipped to the Cardinals in a bizarre salary dump by Poor Boy Dick Monfort?

Nolan Arenado’s mega-deal came with opt-out clauses after both the 2021 and 2022 seasons, and the Gold Glover was swift to announce when this past October ended that he had no intention of testing the waters this time around, stating:

“I’m not opting out,” Arenado told Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Wednesday. “We can put that out there. I will not be opting out. I will be coming back. That was always the plan. I’m absolutely coming back. I feel like this year has been special in a lot of senses.”

Of course. Noted. But what about after 2022, when the Dodgers might have more of a clear-cut vacancy at his desired position? Perhaps the teams can make a bit of contact next offseason? Maybe things sour for Arenado in St. Louis? Never say never.

Arenado’s virtues extol themselves, In his first season without Coors Field as his primary ballpark, the slick-fielding third baseman still hit .255 with 34 bombs, 105 RBI and a 121 OPS+, winning his ninth straight Gold Glove in nine tries. A wizard at the hot corner, nearly any team would opt to replace their incumbent option with Arenado for the remainder of his prime, even as the Coors Effect kicks in somewhat.

We’re not saying it’s realistic that Arenado jumps ship home to the west coast, but if it’s at all possible, the Dodgers will pursue a reunion next offseason. Surely, they’re hoping for a little bit less definitive answer on the opt-out question next time around.

4 Dodgers facing uncertain futures heading into 2022 season

You thought the Los Angeles Dodgers had a lot of questions to answer this offseason? Just wait until next year when things continue to be complicated.