4 potential Dodgers replacements for Justin Turner after 2022 season

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.