What would Dodgers replacing Trea Turner with Carlos Correa actually accomplish?

Even before the report of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ interest in Carlos Correa came out, fans were already prepared to sell their souls for one of the most hated players in baseball for the sake of winning in the postseason.

Does Correa have incredible playoff numbers? He sure does. He’s hitting .272 with an .849 OPS, 37 runs scored, 18 homers and 59 RBI in 79 career games. He very much thrives in the spotlight and is fueled by the hate and pressure.

But is it crazy to say that much of this success should be attributed to the well-oiled machine that is the Houston Astros? They let Correa go last offseason, seamlessly replaced him with a rookie, and returned to the World Series.

Then came his one year in Minnesota. He was largely having a bad campaign, and then he surged ahead in the final 30 days. The Twins missed the playoffs, but Correa ended up with respectable enough numbers to hit free agency again.

Correa played alongside many other clutch guys in Houston, such as Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman and Michael Brantley. That was a team that was fueled by one another (and still operates the same way!). How can Dodgers fans be so sure that Correa’s penchant for delivering in big moments translates to LA … where a lack of such a characteristic has derailed so many postseason runs?

Dodgers Rumors: Carlos Correa or Trea Turner in free agency?

If Correa’s a product of his environment (for the sake of this argument), wouldn’t he struggle among the rest in similar fashion? If this team continuously has a tendency to shell up on the big stage, how is one player going to reverse that major character flaw?

In a new environment in 2022, Correa hit .277 with a .730 OPS with runners in scoring position. Just one home run and seven total extra-base hits. With two outs and RISP? .191 with a .506 OPS and one extra-base hit. In high-leverage situations? .226 with a .696 OPS and six extra-base hits.

Additionally, how much better is Correa than Turner? Or is he at all? Up until this point, we perhaps have the evidence to determine that.

• Player A – .302/.355/.487 with 586 runs scored, 124 home runs, 434 RBI, 29.7 WAR, 5.5 dWAR, 9 Defensive Runs Saved, 13 Outs Above Average in 849 career games
• Player B – .279/.357/.479 with 508 runs scored, 155 home runs, 553 RBI, 39.5 WAR, 12.6 dWAR, 70 Defensive Runs Saved, 23 Outs Above Average in 888 career games

We didn’t include stolen bases because the differentiation would’ve been obvious, but who would you rather have here? Correa, Player B, clearly has his defense setting him apart. But if you add in Turner’s 230 stolen bags (vs Correa’s 33), defensive versatility (91 games at second base, 45 in center field), and overall greater likelihood to remain a middle infielder well into his 30s, you might choose Trea.

There’s another stark difference, though. While the two each have one World Series ring, Turner’s postseason numbers are largely subpar — he’s hitting .238 with a .614 OPS, 23 runs scored, 3 HRs, 8 RBI and 6 stolen bases in 43 games. Correa’s unwavering defense at shortstop and his playoff track record are the stark contrasts here.

But it’s important to view this through a long-term lens that also takes into account the human element. Is bringing back Turner the definite long-term answer? It’s certainly up for debate. But is bringing in Correa, someone who’s made it a point to become a heel (particularly among Dodgers and Yankees fans) and whose success was partially a result of one of the most successful MLB teams of a generation, the proper counter move?

This potential free agency scenario is the epitome of fan discourse. It’s a matter of preference. And it’s not an easy one.

Astros already trying to bend rules in World Series validates Dodgers fans

The Houston Astros are at it again. Leaning into pitches multiple times and attempting to use illegal bats. Los Angeles Dodgers fans have something to say.