As the Red Sox try to bring back their top free agent, they might face some stiff competition from a team that just sniffed a World Series championship.
The Diamondbacks, “who desperately want a third baseman, plan to pursue” Justin Turner, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. Arizona was one of the clubs who reportedly made an offer to Turner last winter, along with the Red Sox Dodgers, Marlins and Angels. Turner officially became a free agent Friday when he declined his $13.4 million player option for 2024 and took a $6.7 million buyout instead.
Turner, who turns 39 on Nov. 23, hit .276 with 23 homers, 96 RBIs and an .800 OPS in 146 games in 2023 while emerging as a key clubhouse leader for a relatively young Red Sox team. He finished second on the Red Sox in runs (86), RBIs (96), total bases (254) and games played (146) while ranking third in homers (23), hits (154) and walks (51). He hit .338 with a .943 OPS with runners in scoring position, ranking among the American League leaders. Without a poor September while hobbled with a bone bruise in his heel, Turner’s numbers would look even better.
The Red Sox are going to try to re-sign Turner but might not be willing to offer him as much as other clubs, especially if competitors are willing to guarantee two years on a contract. Two veteran scouts polled last week predicted similar deals for Turner this winter. One suggested he’ll earn a one-year, $12.5 million deal with a $12.5 million club option for 2025. The other predicted a guaranteed two-year deal worth $28 million.
Even after playing 128 games for the Dodgers in 2022, Turner was met with widespread interest on the open market last winter, with five teams reportedly offering him deals and the Athletics even expressing some interest. He should get even more bites this winter. The offensive performance speaks for itself and the clubhouse reputation is what it is. But by playing so well in a new place after spending nine seasons with his hometown Dodgers, Turner showed the league that he’s capable of making a big impact anywhere.
If a bidding war breaks out, it’s not hard to envision the Red Sox walking away and deciding to allocate resources elsewhere. Across the league, the most functional rosters operate with a rotating cast at DH, and it could behoove the Red Sox to operate that way next season, especially considering the multiple defensive liabilities on the current roster. If Turner leaves, it’s possible Masataka Yoshida becomes the primary DH considering Boston’s surplus of talented outfielders. Rafael Devers could get some DH at-bats after regressing defensively in 2023. Adam Duvall, a free agent, could re-sign and mix in at the spot as well.
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