Steve Webb
Corey’s gone, but Trea’s a treat to watch
LOS ANGELES — Of course, the biggest loss over the off-season was that of Corey Seager, the Dodgers’ longtime shortstop and 2020 World Series MVP. He signed a ten-year mega deal with the Texas Rangers over the winter, so he will have to use some of those millions to comfort him while he’s watching the postseason on TV from his couch this year. The Rangers, God bless ’em, are going nowhere anytime soon, so Seager probably has tasted October baseball for the last time for a while.
But thanks to Trevor Bauer‘s idiocy last year, the Dodgers were forced to go out on the trade market and acquire Max Scherzer at the deadline for the second half of the season. Scherzer’s gone, but the Lucky Strike extra that was thrown in by the Nationals is still a Dodger, and he will be your starting shortstop this year: the one and only Trea Turner.
Trea Turner (2021: .328 AVG., 27 HR, 77 RBI)
We’ve only had a few dozen games to watch Trea Turner go about his business in a Dodger uniform, but it doesn’t take long to figure out that this guy is a game-changing talent. The hitting, the speed on the paths, the Smooth Criminal slide. It all makes for an exciting and potent offensive weapon at the Dodgers’ disposal. And, after his somewhat spotty performance in the field at second base last season, Turner is moving back to his natural position at short in 2022.
“We’re gonna miss [Seager],” Turner said recently. “But for me individually, I’m excited to play shortstop again. Feels so much more normal and natural. Felt like I was almost playing left-handed at second base, but it’ll be good to prove that I can play it at a high level and … one of my focuses this Spring Training is getting ground balls over there, putting in the reps and getting ready for that.”
If there is one spot in Turner’s game that could use some work, it is his defense. He made 11 errors at short for the Nats in 2021 and five more at second with the Dodgers. Not horrible, but not Ozzie Smith, either. However, he does replace Corey Seager, who, let’s face it, was not much of a defensive shortstop, either. I would argue that with Turner back at short and Muncy or Lux at second, the Dodger infield defense is going to be better this season. Plus, we’ll have slick-fielding Freddie Freeman on hand to scoop up any errant throws this year, too, so that will also help a bit.
At the plate, Turner was spectacular after the trade with the Nats. His slash line (.338/.385/.565) was among the best in the league, and he deserved serious votes for MVP in the National League. Indeed, he finished fifth in the MVP balloting last year, finishing behind winner Bryce Harper, former teammate Juan Soto, and fellow shortstops Fernando Tatis Jr. and Brandon Crawford. Plus, there is an additional incentive for Turner in 2022. This is Trea’s walk year, so he will be eager to put a little extra shine on the apple before he hits the open market.
However, since the Dodgers have been gifted Trea Turner, it would be a shame to let him walk. And Turner has indicated that he would be open to an extension, saying all the right things to the press. “I think this organization, like I said from day one, this is unbelievable,” he said this Spring. “The time I’ve spent here has been a lot of fun. And I think it’s definitely a place that I can be long term. Whether that happens or doesn’t happen is another question, but I’ve had a lot of fun. I enjoy it. It’s a great place to play. It’s a great city.”
The only thing slightly problematic on Turner’s resume is his postseason numbers. In October, he’s hitting only .228 for his career, with just one home run in 167 at-bats. That’s, um, not great. A couple of well-place Turner hits last season, and we might have made it back to the World Series. However, these sorts of things don’t worry me much. The huge upside on Turner makes him well worth extending before he tears up the league again and becomes really expensive.
Others
Make no mistake. Barring injury, I would expect Turner to start 150 games or so at short. However, if he does need a breather, there are a few able replacements. Chris Taylor played short at Virginia, and could man the position if Turner goes down. In addition, Gavin Lux saw a couple of months worth of starts at short while Corey Seager was on the shelf last year. Finally, new acquisition Hanser Alberto is around if either of these guys go down with injury. Still, the left side of the diamond figures to be the Turner & Turner show for the vast majority of the season. And that’s a good thing.
DODGERSBEAT GRADE: A
