What Justin Turner's two-year Dodgers contract means for luxury tax
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What Turner's new contract means for Dodgers' luxury tax originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
The rich get richer.
Justin Turner is back with the Los Angeles Dodgers as the World Series champions try to run it back again this upcoming season.
Lettts gooo run it back @Dodgers fans!!! @vaynersports @vaynerbaseball pic.twitter.com/fRY0pvyWMx
— Justin Turner (@redturn2) February 14, 2021
The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported the star third baseman's two-year contract is worth $34 million. It includes an $8 million signing bonus and has a third-year option. But the Dodgers' latest big deal could have big implications on their luxury tax.
As of now, Dodgers would be over highest luxury-tax threshold of $250M. If they end season there, they would pay highest possible tax and 1st draft pick would move back 10 spots. Past three years of being under helped set up this splurge. Lots of money coming off books after ‘21.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 14, 2021
The Dodgers already lost their first-round pick this year when they signed NL Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer. Now, the Turner signing could push their top pick in the 2022 draft back 10 spots. However, a follower of Rosenthal's pointed out on Twitter that the Dodgers’ tax payment wouldn't amount to an unfathomably large percentage of their payroll.
A follower points out the Dodgers’ tax payment would not amount to a terribly large percentage of their payroll. Very true: Per @Fangraphs’ roster resource, team’s luxury-tax payroll currently $256.9M. By my rough calculation, tax would amount to ~$13.3M. https://t.co/usxOFwhfh2
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 14, 2021
Turner hit .307 with an .860 OPS in 42 games last season. He hit .290 with 27 homers and an .881 OPS in 2019. Since 2014, when he joined the Dodgers, Turner has hit .302 with an .886 OPS and has averaged 24 homers per 162 games.
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He also has been a terror to the Giants. Over 110 games against the Giants, Turner is batting .308 with 12 homers and an .898 OPS.
The last time we saw Turner on the field, it was another loss in MLB's leadership department with his coronavirus flub celebrating the World Series. Bringing him back to the Dodgers just gives the Giants' biggest rival another advantage, no matter how much it costs.