After the season last year, several players left the Los Angeles Dodgers. Among them, the player with the greatest presence was, of course, Justin Turner (39). Turner, who came to the Dodgers on a minor contract in 2014, blossomed his baseball life here. He served as the main third baseman for the Dodgers for 9 years, and also served as a mental support that the team should not have.
Along with pitcher Clayton Kershaw, Turner was the key leader leading the atmosphere in the Dodgers clubhouse. Team chemistry is always a problem in a big market team with many star players with strong personalities, but the Dodgers have no need to worry about that since Turner became the centerpiece. On and off the field, the players came together as one and built a strong relationship. Furthermore, he continued his charitable activities and received strong support from the local community.
Turner, who did that, is no longer with the Dodgers. Turner, who was released as a free agent after the Dodgers gave up his 16 million dollar club option after the season last year, signed a contract with the Boston Red Sox for 1+1 year and 15 million dollars. The Dodgers are starting a generational change by appointing prospect Miguel Vargas to replace Turner at third base.
Turner, who has just turned 39, showed signs of an aging curve last year. His combat value is not the same as before, but his presence in the squad was absolute. In an interview with ‘Dodgers Nation’ on the 18th, Dodgers big-shot infielder Max Muncy was also concerned about Turner’s vacancy.
Muncy said, “The loss of Turner is a big blow to our team. It’s really hard. He managed everything in the Dodgers clubhouse. Even the little things that other people didn’t know well, the influence on the team was so great. Everyone talks about our clubhouse chemistry, and a lot of it has to do with Turner,” he said. 먹튀검증
As long as the mental support is gone, someone has to fill this position. There are star players who have joined the Dodgers as free agents in recent years, such as Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, but Chris Taylor (33), a super utility in the infield and outfield, was chosen as a replacement.
The American ‘Clutchpoint’ said, ‘Taylor is not only a favorite player of the Dodgers fans, but also a respected member of the clubhouse. Stars like Freeman and Betts also recently attended Taylor’s charity golf event. He is no stranger to doing good for the community. He has been with the Dodgers since 2016,” said Taylor, who was traded from the Seattle Mariners in June 2016 and has been with the Dodgers for eight years. Among Dodgers fielders, backup catcher Austin Barnes (9 years) is the only player who has been with the team longer than Taylor.
Taylor, who has a three-year contract with an annual salary of $41 million until 2025, was also considered as a candidate for this offseason trade in order to reduce the Dodgers’ luxury tax. However, Muncy emphasized the need for Taylor, saying, “Trading Taylor to our clubhouse, which has been hit by the loss of Turner, is not helpful.” Taylor, whose batting average was 2.21, 89 hits, 10 homers, and 43 RBIs, .677 in 118 games due to a fractured left foot last year, is expected to be the new center of the Dodgers clubhouse after Turner left.