Dodgers, Justin Turner reportedly close on a four-year contract.

Justin Turner Dodgers

Justin Turner could become the second free agent to re-sign with the Dodgers this week. (Keith Birmingham/Staff photographer)

The Dodgers are close to re-signing third baseman Justin Turner to a four-year contract, first reported by Chris Camello of the Rebel Media Group on Sunday and confirmed in multiple reports Monday. According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the contract will pay an average annual value of $16 million, with deferred money possibly pushing the total value beyond $64 million.

Turner, 32, is coming off a career year in which he played 151 games, hit 27 home runs, drove in 90 runs and finished ninth in National League MVP voting. The Long Beach native and former Cal State Fullerton standout was also a finalist for a Gold Glove Award in his first full season at third base.

Coincidentally, Turner attended teammate Kenley Jansen‘s wedding over the weekend in Curaçao. Jansen and the Dodgers agreed to a five-year, $80 million contract Monday, pending a physical.

 

Kenley Jansen and the Dodgers agree to a five-year, $80 million deal.

Kenley Jansen

Kenley Jansen agreed to a five-year, $80 million contract with the Dodgers on Monday. (John McCoy/Staff photographer)

The Dodgers have re-signed closer Kenley Jansen to a five-year contract worth $80 million. The contract is pending a physical.

Jansen got married over the weekend in his native Curaçao, but according to a source the pitcher might be able to fly back to Los Angeles this week to finalize the deal. It is the richest contract the Dodgers have ever given a relief pitcher, a hair below closer Aroldis Chapman‘s recently signed contract with the Yankees (five years, $86 million), and a substantive upgrade from the Dodgers’ initial offer of four years and $55 million.

Jansen, 29, recorded a career-high 47 saves in 2016 and became the Dodgers’ all-time saves leader in the process. He saved another three games in the playoffs and established his versatility as a multi-inning reliever.

In seven major league seasons, Jansen is 19-13 with a 2.20 ERA and 189 saves.

Read more from colleague Bill Plunkett here.

Dodgers outright Charlie Culberson, opening a spot on the 40-man roster.

The Dodgers outrighted Charlie Culberson to Triple-A Oklahoma City. They now have 39 players on their 40-man roster.

Though the club needed to clear a roster spot to add another player via free agency, no other moves were known to be imminent Friday.

Culberson re-signed with the Dodgers last week, following a season in which he batted .284 in 34 major league games. He is expected to remain in the organization.

Wade Davis and Aroldis Chapman are off the market. What’s next for Kenley Jansen and the Dodgers?

Kenley Jansen

Kenley Jansen remains unsigned going into the final day of the Winter Meetings. (John McCoy/Staff photographer)

And then there was one.

On the same day closer Wade Davis was traded to the Chicago Cubs, the New York Yankees were reportedly finalizing a five-year, $86 million contract with Aroldis Chapman. With Davis and Chapman’s fate settled, Kenley Jansen remains baseball’s last premier closer whose 2017 address is unsettled.

Here’s where things stand with Jansen and the Dodgers:

Continue reading “Wade Davis and Aroldis Chapman are off the market. What’s next for Kenley Jansen and the Dodgers?” »

Report: Dodgers have checked in on Jose Bautista.

Jose Bautista

Free agent outfielder Jose Bautista hit 22 home runs for the Blue Jays in 2016. (Getty Images)

The Dodgers have contacted the representatives for free agent outfielder Jose Bautista, according to the Toronto Star. Bautista, a 36-year-old right fielder, had a .234 batting average, 22 home runs, 69 RBIs and an .817 OPS for the Blue Jays in 2016.

Continue reading “Report: Dodgers have checked in on Jose Bautista.” »