Turner returning to Dodgers on reported 2-year, $34M deal
Justin Turner is returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers, he announced Saturday.
Lettts gooo run it back @Dodgers fans!!! @vaynersports @vaynerbaseball pic.twitter.com/fRY0pvyWMx
— Justin Turner (@redturn2) February 14, 2021
Turner will receive a two-year, $34-million contract with a club option for a third season and an $8-million signing bonus, sources told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.
Largest guarantee for a free-agent position player 36 or older in first year of deal since Victor Martinez’s four-year, $68M contract with Tigers in 2014. Potential value for Turner is $48M over three years if option is exercised, $52M if he hits escalators tied to MVP voting. https://t.co/3nJQiZkRse
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 14, 2021
Turner's signing will push the Dodgers' luxury-tax payroll past $254 million, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles also signed pitcher Trevor Bauer to a three-year, $102-million contract last week.
The 36-year-old slashed .307/.400/.460 with 23 RBIs in 42 regular-season games last season. He hit two home runs in the World Series before he was pulled from the deciding Game 6 after testing positive for COVID-19. Turner violated safety protocols when he returned to the field to celebrate with his team but wasn't punished by Major League Baseball.
Turner was reportedly weighing a similar two-year, $34-million offer from the Milwaukee Brewers before deciding to return to L.A., while the New York Mets also showed interest in acquiring his services.