Dodgers Rumors: MLB Network host believes LA will lose Trea Turner to NL rival

Some Los Angeles Dodgers fans may not be down and out if the team doesn’t re-sign Trea Turner … but what if the front office doesn’t find a viable replacement? What if Turner signs with an NL rival, too? One of those scenarios by itself is bad. The two occurring at once? Nightmare.

LA fans have long been familiar with the rumor that Turner may “prefer” an East Coast team, but the All-Star shortstop confirmed the Dodgers are an option for him and that “everything is on the table.”

By “everything,” did he suggest the St. Louis Cardinals were included in that? Because … the Dodgers would very much not like that. An infield of Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arendo, Trea Turner and Tommy Edman would be arguably the best in baseball.

While the Cards might not have been overly successful in the postseason in recent years, LA fans know very well how dangerous they can be in October at full strength and with the right pieces/talent.

According to MLB Network host Greg Amsinger, a Turner-Cardinals pairing is a no-brainer, and he believes that will be one of free agency’s blockbuster moves.

Dodgers Rumors: Could Trea Turner sign with the St. Louis Cardinals?

Amsinger called the Arenado/Cardinals trade back when the superstar third baseman’s situation with the Colorado Rockies was beginning to boil over.

Though he’s not “reporting” this, Amsinger has a lot more to support his argument than what he said in the clip. For starters, the Cardinals have just $148 million committed to the 2023 payroll (that includes guaranteed contracts and arbitration salaries). That, right there, proves they have the money to spend at the onset of free agency.

Secondly, the roster doesn’t have many needs. Yes, losing guys like Yadier Molina and Albert Pujols as well as (potentially) Jose Quintana might not be ideal, but Quintana could very well return. Even after signing Turner in this hypothetical situation, there will be enough leftover money to address the starting rotation and depth across the roster.

Lastly, the Cardinals have a near-perfect mix of star players, experienced veterans, and young talent. Arenado, Goldschmidt, Adam Wainwright, Miles Mikolas, Jordan Montgomery and Giovanny Gallegos are for certain the foundation of a contender. Then you have Edman, Lars Nootbaar, Tyler O’Neill, Dylan Carlson, Ryan Helsley and Brendan Donovan. Assuming those guys progress, this roster is built for the short- and long-term.

Amsinger’s hunch could be spot on. If the Cards are willing to out-bid the Dodgers, this feels like the easiest superstar-to-contender match baseball fans might not have already had at the forefront of their mind.

Dodgers Rumors: Trea Turner departure plan might divide LA fans

The Los Angeles Dodger may not be able to keep shortstop Trea Turner, so they're already looking at other scenarios. This one might not sit well with some.