Brewers have reported interest in 3B Justin Turner
By Paul Bretl
The last time that Justin Turner was a free agent, the Milwaukee Brewers were very much interested in signing him, but as we all know, he stayed with Los Angeles. Now a free agent once again, the Brewers are reportedly interested in Turner a second time.
According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, the Brewers are one of a few teams showing interest in Turner, with the others being the Dodgers and Miami Marlins.
Now 38 years old, Turner has seen his production dip over the last two seasons, although “dip” is a relative term. While he is no longer slashing .307/.397/.513 and posting an OPS+ of 142 as he did from 2017 through 2020, Turner was still effective at the plate these past two years.
In 2020, he hit .278 with an .832 OPS, 27 home runs, 22 doubles, and an OPS+ of 120. Most recently, he again hit .278, and posted a .788 OPS with 13 home runs, 36 doubles, and a well above-average OPS+ of 116. He also continues to walk at a decent rate of nearly 10% while striking out just 16.7% percent of the time.
Third base remains a need for the Brewers at this time. As the roster is currently constructed, Luis Urias would play the bulk of the innings there, with Mike Brosseau able to fill in when needed. Following a career year in 2021 that included a .789 OPS and 23 home runs, Urias saw his OPS fall to .739, and he hit just 16 home runs.
The addition of Turner would allow Urias to take on a utility role, also playing second base where the Brewers currently have some unknowns, with it looking like Brice Turang will be Milwaukee’s go-to option there. Turang is yet to take a big league at-bat.
At 38 years old, a short-term deal — probably no more than two years with potentially even an option for that second season — will suffice, which is good news for the Brewers. Spotrac projects Turner landing a two-year contract worth $17.3 million, or $8.6 million per year. If this is the ballpark of where Turner’s market is going to be, this is very much in the price range of Milwaukee.
The Brewers have been quick to address some of their biggest needs this offseason, adding several arms to the bullpen already, along with acquiring catcher William Contreras. The next item on the to-do list should be trying to upgrade the third base position.