This offseason has been a painful one for Los Angeles Dodgers fans. With the team in limbo in regard to Trevor Bauer's suspension appeal and subsequent luxury tax implications, the Dodgers have had to take more of a passive approach this winter.
As a result, fans have had to say goodbye to some notable players, while watching the front office fail at bringing in the best options (in comparison to the rest of the league) to replace them. Cody Bellinger being non-tendered and let go was sad for fans, but that move was quickly topped by another departing Dodger.
After the Dodgers signed J.D. Martinez, Justin Turner quickly signed a two-year deal with the Boston Red Sox. This ends a legendary tenure in Dodgers blue for Turner, who goes down as the franchise leader in just about every offensive postseason metric.
While it might be sad for Dodgers fans, Turner joining the Red Sox has been joyous for another former fan favorite, Enrique Hernández. Hernández understandably left the Dodgers after the 2020 season, and is now reuniting with his former teammate in Boston. Sensitive Dodgers fans should shield their eyes.
In addition to the two tweets that will definitely break Dodgers fans' hearts, Hernandez also posted a clip of him and Turner on Instagram with the infamous best friends song from "Rob and Big". Way to pull at a millennial's heartstrings, Kiké.
The 2020 World Series Champion Dodgers are essentially all gone after Justin Turner signing
This truly marks an end of an era for the Los Angeles Dodgers. While the hope is that the young players in the farm system can instantly make an impact, the fact of the matter is that we are entering a new era with this ballclub.
Despite the title being earned just two years ago, there are a lot of big-name players from that 2020 World Series team who are no longer in Los Angeles. Turner, Hernández, Bellinger, Corey Seager, Joc Pederson, A.J. Pollock, Edwin Rios, Matt Beaty, Alex Wood, Joe Kelly, Kenley Jansen, Jake McGee, Dylan Floro and Pedro Baez have all since left LA.
Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, Will Smith and Austin Barnes are the only players who started in the Game 6 lineup that are still with the team. Over half of the World Series-winning lineup is gone.
Boston is also becoming a collection point for former Dodgers. In addition to joining Hernández, Turner is also reuniting with Kenley Jansen (who signed this offseason) and Alex Verdugo. Can't wait for the San Francisco Giants or Chicago Cubs to become sellers and trade either Joc Pederson or Cody Bellinger to Boston in July.
It is painful seeing all of these fan favorites on different teams, but that is simply part of being a sports fan. Dodgers fans who do want to see Turner in action next season can still do so; they are just going to have to drive over to Orange County and watch the Red Sox take on the Los Angeles Angels. The Dodgers play the Red Sox in 2023, but in Boston, not LA.