LA extends qualifying offers to Trea, Anderson

LAS VEGAS -- Before Thursday’s 2 p.m. PT deadline, the Dodgers extended a qualifying offer to shortstop Trea Turner and left-hander Tyler Anderson. Both players have until 1 p.m. PT on Tuesday to either accept or decline the one-year, $19.65 million deal.

Turner is widely expected to reject the offer. He’s going to be one of the most sought-after shortstops in a rich market at the position. The Dodgers will see if re-signing Turner to a long-term contract makes sense, though that will be a challenge with other teams -- especially on the East Coast -- bidding for his services. If Turner rejects the qualifying offer and signs elsewhere, the Dodgers will receive Draft pick compensation.

? The latest on Turner's market

Anderson’s case is much more interesting. The 32-year-old enjoyed a career season with the Dodgers in 2022, becoming an All-Star for the first time. Anderson could choose to accept the qualifying offer, which would pay him more than double his $8 million salary he played for last season.

But given his strong season, Anderson will also have a robust market, one that could include a multiyear deal. Given his age and level of experience, Anderson could look to cash in on his stellar season. There’s also the security of taking the qualifying offer and locking up close to $20 million.

One player who didn’t receive a qualifying offer was Clayton Kershaw, but shortly after the deadline to extend one, the Dodgers neared a one-year deal with the southpaw on Thursday, sources told MLB.com. The club has not confirmed the deal.

The Dodgers handled things similarly last November, when they declined to extend Kershaw a qualifying offer so he didn't need to rush his decision early in the offseason. He ultimately signed a one-year deal with Los Angeles in March.

President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman had made it clear that keeping Kershaw, even without extending him a qualifying offer, would be a priority.

“Things just feel more right in the world when Kershaw is wearing a Dodgers uniform,” Friedman said during the GM Meetings in Las Vegas. “That’s just how it lands with us, but we couldn’t respect more him and Ellen going through this process."

Getting starting pitching help is at the top of the list for the Dodgers this offseason. They have a projected rotation that includes just Julio Urias, Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May. Ryan Pepiot, Gavin Stone, Bobby Miller and Michael Grove are all depth options, but the club will need proven starters to start the season.