Turner becomes free agent after Dodgers reject $16M option
The Los Angeles Dodgers have rejected Justin Turner's $16-million team option, making the veteran third baseman a free agent, the team announced Thursday.
The 37-year-old also hit free agency in the 2020-21 offseason but wound up re-signing with the Dodgers on a two-year, $34-million deal. The two-time All-Star will receive a $2-million buyout, saving the Dodgers $14 million on payroll.
Turner has spent the past nine seasons with L.A., hitting .296/.375/.490 over 1,075 games.
This past year, he was held to 128 contests due to an abdominal strain and hit .278/.350/.438 with 13 homers and three steals. While still a positive contributor at the plate, Turner's defensive metrics regressed, ranking 25th percentile by Baseball Savant's outs above average and costing the Dodgers 6.4 runs, according to FanGraphs.
Turner was recently named the 2022 recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award, given annually to the player who best exemplifies the game of baseball through extraordinary character and commitment to the community.
Major League Baseball's free agency officially opened at 5:00 p.m. ET.