Love this move by AC. Justin Turner played his balls off for the Red Sox this year despite being banged up and being in last place. You’d never know it based on how hard he played and how well he played. If this is it, thank you, JT.
Free Agent Profile: Justin Turner declined his player option after a successful season with the Red Sox
Nov 24, 2023, 17:00 ESTUpdated: Nov 24, 2023, 18:15 EST
If the Blue Jays are looking for a right-handed replacement for Brandon Belt this winter, Justin Turner might be their guy.
This is a free agent profile, where we look at available free agents as the off-season continues and whether or not they’d be a fit for the Blue Jays. In this article, we’re going to take a look at Justin Turner, who spent the 2023 season with the Boston Red Sox.
Justin Turner’s 2023:
Turner spent his age-38 season with the Boston Red Sox after a lengthy time spent with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He inked a two-year deal with Boston and declined the player option because of how well his 2023 went.
Despite the move to the eastern seaboard, Turner put up good numbers, slashing .276/.345/.455 with 23 home runs in 626 plate appearances. Moreover, he had an 8.1 BB% and a 17.6 K%, with a 114 wRC+ and a 1.2 fWAR. His 23 home runs fell just four home runs short of his career-high of 27, a number he’s hit three times.
The right-handed batting corner infield has slashed .288/.363/.465 for his 5772 career plate appearances. He’s averaged a 127 wRC+ and has accumulated 36 fWAR, while walking 8.9% of the time and striking out 15.2% of the time.
Justin Turner’s contract:
Turner declined a $13.4 million player option with the Red Sox because he knows he can make more in free agency this winter. It wouldn’t be too surprising if he signs a similar deal with a contender, such as the Blue Jays.
Jim Bowden’s article in The Athletic featuring contract predictions has Turner making $12 million on a one-year deal while MLB Trade Rumors has him making $16 million. The latter obviously makes more sense because he isn’t going to decline his option to sign for less. He might again look for a contract with a player option as well.
Justin Turner is a model of consistency at the plate 🔁 @markdero7 takes to the skybox to break down his game and describes how the Red Sox hitter reminds him of George Brett. #MLBCentral
Is Justin Turner a fit for the Blue Jays:
The question at this point is whether Turner can continue to produce at his age. To his credit, he didn’t show any decline in the 2023 season, as he posted similar offensive numbers to his last two seasons in Los Angeles. There was a drop in fWAR, but that has more to do with Turner moving away from third base and playing more in the designated hitter role, which ultimately lowered his overall value.
If the Jays were to sign Turner, they’d be getting a player who is mainly used as the designated hitter or at first base, but can also fill in at third. So basically, Brandon Belt, but right-handed and more versatile defensively.
Turner isn’t the type of player the Blue Jays should be gunning for at the start of free agency, but he’s somebody who would check multiple boxes for the team heading into 2024. They signed Belt in January and Turner could be a solid depth addition depending on the bigger moves they make.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Threads @Brennan_L_D.
Previously…
- Free Agent Profile: Shohei Ohtani is this winter’s top free agent despite off-season elbow surgery
- Free Agent Profile: The Blue Jays pursued Cody Bellinger last winter and likely will again this year
- Free Agent Profile: Yoshinobu Yamamoto finished his NPB career with one of the best starts in Japan Series history
- Free Agent Profile: Two-time All-Star Tim Anderson is on the open market after the White Sox declined his option
- Free Agent Profile: Teoscar Hernández said before the trade deadline that he’d be open to a return to the Blue Jays
- Free Agent Profile: Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is on the open market following his first All-Star season
- Free Agent Profile: The Blue Jays are apparently interested in outfielder Michael A. Taylor
- Free Agent Profile: Slugger Jorge Soler could give the Blue Jays some much-needed pop in their lineup
- Free Agent Profile: Slugger Jorge Soler could give the Blue Jays some much-needed pop in their lineup
- Free Agent Profile: A Joey Votto homecoming is a possibility this winter
- Free Agent Profile: Bryce Harper moving to first base means Rhys Hoskins’ time with the Phillies is over
- Free Agent Profile: Jeimer Candelario is among the Blue Jays’ replacement options if Matt Chapman doesn’t re-sign
- Free Agent Profile: Slugger J.D. Martinez is back on the market after a rebound year with the Dodgers
- Free Agent Profile: Another slugger is on the market as the Brewers non-tendered Rowdy Tellez
- Free Agent Profile: Blake Snell is just the seventh pitcher to win a Cy Young in both leagues
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