Dodgers: Justin Turner Expresses Understanding of Baseball as a Business

Yesterday, Justin Turner shared his “Thank you LA” post on social media and we were all in tears as the reality of the situation finally hit us: Turner will no longer rep the Dodger Blue.

But that’s the nature of the business. After nine years with the Dodgers, J.T. will officially head out east to join a few former teammates out in Boston.

Many of us thought, like Kershaw, he would eventually retire in the Dodger Blue but that wasn’t the case. It came as a surprise when the Dodgers decided not to offer J.T. a club option putting him on the free-agency market this offseason.

While awaiting the next step in his journey, he shared his thoughts at the time:

Justin Turner on talks w/Dodgers: “You’re always kind of waiting and hoping that they’re in play, but there’s a point that you realize this is a business. They had decision they had to make. I had decisions I had to make. It just didn’t work out.”

Ouch. The tears just keep on coming. One can only assume when that pivotal turning point came for Turner but maybe it was the moment the Dodgers decided to sign designated hitter from Boston, J.D. Martinez.

The minute the news broke, it seemed almost inevitable that the Dodgers were moving on from Turner and within a week, RedTurn2 was rumored to be in contact with Martinez’ former team.

The teams made the switch but I doubt there were any hard feelings between both Turner and the Dodgers organization.

The “decision” Turner had to make most likely came down to the best offer and if the Dodgers weren’t willing to offer more than Boston’s two-year, about $22 million offer then Turner wasn’t going to look back. Here are the official details for his contract with Boston:

Justin Turner, Red Sox
$21,700,000/2+P.  2023 opt 2024
$8,300,000 – 2023
Player option 2024 for $13,400,000 or $6,700,000 buyout.
Plus:  $200,000 each for 480pa; 500pa; 520pa; 540pa; 560pa

Like Turner said, baseball is a business and although we may want our favorites to stay in Los Angeles forever, they also have to look out for themselves too.

So on behalf of Dodgers Nation, thank you J.T. for your contributions in both the city of L.A. and your leadership within the Dodgers organization. We’ll miss you but best of luck in Boston.

P.S. The Dodgers (and Martinez) will face the Red Sox (now with five former Dodgers players) in late August. Could be an interesting series for sure.

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