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Hot-corner help: Finding the best fit for Turner
- Updated: November 21, 2016
After three strong seasons with the Dodgers, Justin Turner is the top free agent available this offseason, according to the projection system that MLB.com analytics guru Tom Tango devised based on wins above replacement (WAR).
But Turner’s place on the Hot Stove is interesting for reasons beyond his production, and that’s due to a pair of competing factors. On one hand, this free-agent class is thin at the hot corner — leaving Turner with little competition, other than from potential trade chips. On the other hand, few teams appear to have both a hole at the position and the means to land him.
• Hot Stove Tracker
In other words, while Turner certainly deserves a bidding war, it’s unclear how many clubs will enter the fray.
To get a handle on the market for Turner, who will turn 32 on Wednesday, here is a look at both this winter’s third-base options and the teams that appear to be the best fits for his services.
Free agents
Turner (projected 2017 WAR: 3.5): From ’14 through ’16, his 138 weighted runs created-plus (wRC+) ranked 18th among all big leaguers with at least 1,000 plate appearances. Over the same span, he collected 18 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) at third.
Luis Valbuena (projected 2017 WAR: 1.8): On the plus side, Valbuena posted a 115 wRC+ over the past three seasons, showcasing patience and power. Yet, he also missed the final two months of ’16 with a hamstring injury and is limited against left-handed pitching.
Trevor Plouffe (projected 2017 WAR: 1.1): The Twins waived Plouffe rather than go through arbitration, which would have resulted in a raise from his ’16 salary of $7.25 million. The 30-year-old hits lefties well and was a solid starter over the previous two years (6.5 WAR), but took a step back in ’16 while going on the disabled list three times.
Aaron Hill (projected 2017 WAR: 0.1): Following two rough offensive seasons, Hill hit .283/.359/.421 in 78 games for the Brewers this year, but his production collapsed again after a July trade to Boston. Hill, who can also play some second base, …
