Tonight, Justin Turner ended one of the few remaining major free agent dances, announcing that he is returning to the Dodgers, as most had expected he eventually would.
Lettts gooo run it back @Dodgers fans!!! @vaynersports @vaynerbaseball pic.twitter.com/fRY0pvyWMx
— Justin Turner (@redturn2) February 14, 2021
The other final suitor for Turner was believed to be the Brewers, so at least he’s not going there. It remains to be seen how much Turner was able to wring out of the Dodgers by stretching this thing out, but it’s probably two or three years tops. He can still hit, but he’s 36 and the defense is (statistically) waning at third base. (UPDATE: Two years, and over $30 million.)
The Dodgers are now back their very mighty selves for their title defense. Bully for them.
The other thing this means in relation to the Cubs is hopefully – *HOPEFULLY* – we can get some full and final resolution on the Kris Bryant trade front now. There is no one else out there on the market to conflict with whatever the Cubs and/or a trade partner might be doing. So either a deal is there or not. At this late date, a trade should not be expected, but obviously there was all that renewed Mets smoke this week. Please just let it resolve, soon, one way or the other.
And if Bryant is staying, I just hope the focus becomes the 2021 season (or at least the first half). I kinda want to get on board with the idea that he’s the guy, he’s gonna bounce back, he’s gonna be an important part of the Cubs competing, and yada yada. That stuff.