*Photo from the Los Angeles Times*
Another one of the big guns in the Los Angeles Dodgers title winning team in 2020 is back in the fold. The Dodgers and 3B Justin Turner have agreed to a two year, $34 million deal to keep Turner in the Dodger blue, news that was first broke by Turner himself. Turner's deal includes an $8 million bonus. The Dodgers have also confirmed the signing.
Turner had yet another productive season in the short 2020 season, posting an average of .307 with an .860 OPS, hitting 4 homers and driving in 23 runs in 42 games played in the regular season. In his 12 big league seasons, Turner has a .292 average with an .838 OPS, hitting 124 homers and driving in 495 runs in 1,114 games played.
Turner had a reasonable market for his services this offseason, but the Dodgers always appeared as the favorites to bring him back. The problem was what Turner was demanding. He was looking for a 3 or 4 year deal, as he thought it was going to be his last big league contract, but the Dodgers were only willing to go two years. In the end, Turner settled for the two year deal, but he's getting well paid for it.
The contract given to Turner will push the Dodgers payroll to approximately $250 million in 2021, which is about $40 million over the $210 million luxury tax threshold, so the Dodgers will be paying luxury tax penalties this season. Because of how far over the threshold they are, their first round draft choice in the upcoming draft will fall at least 10 spots.
The Dodgers have had a busy offseason, signing relievers Tommy Kahnle, Corey Knebel, and Blake Treinen. They have also signed Trevor Bauer for the rotation, and have brought back Turner now, in an attempt to try and repeat as world series champions in 2021.
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