MLB Rumors: Justin Turner Has Very Unlikely Suitor

Justin Turner has been a fixture at third base for the Los Angeles Dodgers for nine years now. He's helped them to a World Series championship, and has been one of their most consistent performers, with two All-Star appearances and a .296 average and .865 OPS over his nine seasons. 

But they still haven't re-signed the free agent for his age-38 season, and that just may be allowing a division rival to sneak in. Word from MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic is that the San Diego Padres have Turner on their radar in their search for another hitter. 

As for Padres fans, after watching Turner destroy them this season with a 1.086 OPS, and over the years with his 25 HR and 80 RBIs against the Friars being his most against any team in the majors, they're sort of mixed on the idea of adding a longtime despised rival:

It would be hard to look at Justin Turner in a Padres uniform. I'd probably just change the channel every at bat. Besides that, he'd be a decent offensive addition.

— Mickey Koke (@mickeykoke) December 17, 2022 

I’ll puke if Justin Turner’s a Padre, atAJPreller. Please never let this happen

— ⓀⒺⓋⒾⓃ (@kevin_fromSD) December 17, 2022

He’s always done well at Pedro Park. A solid contact hitter. Padres fans saying no on Justin Turner just cuz he’s a dodger is a trash take in my opinion. People seem to forget Steve Garvey is known as a Dodger. Yet padres fans love him.

— Douglas A Sanchez (@DougieDoug90) December 17, 2022

If nothing else, Turner signing with the Padres would make for great entertainment on Padres Twitter. 

In 14 years in the big leagues, he holds a .289 average, a .366 on-base and an .832 OPS. 

Photo: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports