Nationals: DJ LeMahieu interest could mean no Trea Turner extension

With the Washington Nationals continued interest in DJ LeMahieu, a contract with him could give serious insight into the plans to extend Trea Turner.

One of the hottest commodities this offseason has been DJ LeMahieu. With the New York Yankees being his most recent employer, they have been tied to him the closest. When word dropped Robinson Cano would miss all of the 2021 season, speculation arose the New York Mets had heightened interest in LeMahieu. While the Washington Nationals may have never been frontrunners for the free agent second baseman, they want it known they have had interest all along.

This would be great a great signing for the Nationals. Entering the 2021 season they have some uncertainty at both second base and third base. Bringing in LeMahieu and having him play second moves Starlin Castro to third base and puts Carter Kieboom on the bench, as he has struggled in his time thus far in the big leagues.

Longterm though, signing LeMahieu may mean no extension for Trea Turner.

MLB Trade Rumors predicts LeMahieu will get a four year deal while Jim Bowden of the Athletic predicts three years. Turner is a free agent after two years. Infield prospect Luis Garcia is waiting in the wings, after debuting in 2020.

The Nationals may have to offer LeMahieu an extra year to sway him away from the competition.. Doing this is the Nationals landed Patrick Corbin over the Yankees in free agency a couple years ago.

With LeMahieu signed for four years, he would play alongside Turner on the infield while Garcia got a little more seasoning in the minor leagues. After two years, Turner enters free agency and Garcia takes over at shortstop, his natural position.

The money the Nationals don’t spend to extend Turner is given to Juan Soto, who at the point of Turner’s free agency is just two years away from his own date with the open market.

Is there enough money to extend Turner and sign LeMahieu? Max Scherzer and his $34.5M come off the books next year at which point the Nationals will have only three players signed to contracts for the following year, all pitchers.

One would believe there could be money, though the team hamstrings themselves having so few players who make up the majority of their payroll.

Will be interesting to see how things play out, though right now I’m led to believe if LeMahieu is signed, Turner may not get his extension with the Nationals.