\n\n”,”providerName”:”Twitter”,”providerUrl”:”https://twitter.com”,”thumbnail_url”:null,”type”:”oembed”,”width”:550,”contentType “:”rich”},{“__typename”:”Markdown”,”content”:”His fit in Toronto may be similar. It has a little bit of everything. \n\nA lot of this will depend on what the Blue Jays do next. , considering this lineup still needs another legit bat. If the Blue Jays re-enter the DH market led by Martinez and Jorge Soler, Turner will need to be on the field regularly. If they enter the third base market led by old friend Matt Chapman, Turner will likely slide into more DH duties and designate Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base. It will likely be a role similar to Brandon Belt’s a year ago. “,”type “:”text”},{“__typename”:”OEmbed”,”html”:”“,”providerName”:”MLB”,”providerUrl”:null,”thumbnail_url”:null,”type”:”oembed”,”width”:425,”contentType”:”rich”},{“__typename”: “Markdown”,”content”:”Turner would be clearly worse than Chapman at defending the hot corner – pretty much everyone on the planet is – and Isaiah Kinner-Falefa is a skilled defender, so look at the Blue Jays. It would be surprising to see the 39-year-old regularly used at third base due to the emphasis on defense. “,”type”:”text”},{“__typename”:”Video”,”contentDate”:”2023-06-17T00:15 :33.489Z”,”preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\”preferredPlaybacks\”:\”mp4AvcPlayback \”})”:”https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-06/15/157ad969 -6a8ba74f-0096fb26-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4″,”type”: “video”,”description”:”Justin Turner smashes a grand slam to center field for his second home run of the game to put Boston up 10-1. 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He is hitting .352, another strength for Belt and another skill that was needed more in this lineup.If a power hitter is going to bounce back, namely Guerrero, they have We’re going to need someone.” \n\nThe experience factor cannot be overstated. Bichette has developed into a thoughtful young leader, fully aware of what the team and clubhouse needs. While this team is by no means a young team, leadership is still needed and Turner brings 15 years of MLB experience to town. He also excelled in the postseason, hitting .270 with 13 home runs and an .830 OPS in 86 career games. He won his 2020 World Series as a member of the Dodgers, and in his six-game set against the Rays he hit two home runs and posted an OPS of 1.066. \n\nIt’s a $15 million deal, just like Toronto previously acquired second-year Kinner and his Falefa, but this will become even more clear when we know the full picture of Toronto’s offseason. It feels like a new movement. 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January 30, 2024
TORONTO — The Blue Jays signed Justin Turner to a one-year contract worth $13 million on Tuesday, bringing one of baseball’s most reliable veterans to Toronto.
The deal includes $1.5 million in roster and performance bonuses, sources told MLB.com’s John Paul Morosi.
“Justin Turner has proven that he is not only an exceptional player on the field, but also an exemplary leader in the clubhouse,” Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said in a statement. “We have a history of doing so, and we have consistently pursued our goals.” ”
The need for a veteran bat is clear, and that belief is shared by some of Toronto’s core, including Bo Bichette. Recently on 590 The FAN’s “Blair & Barker,” Bichette talked about how this team can improve and highlighted Turner as a player he wants to play with.
“As much as our players are trying to do their best and try to win a World Series, I think the whole organization should be too,” Bichette said. “JT has great players in Justin Turner and J.D. Martinez. Those two guys that come to mind are bats that not only help on the field but also off the field.”
The Blue Jays are betting on the 39-year-old Turner to have another strong season after seeing him perform in the division with the Red Sox a year ago. Turner’s OPS has been below .800 only once in the past decade, and that was since his surprise break with the Dodgers, but what’s interesting in Toronto is his defensive fit.
Turner appeared in just seven games as a third baseman in 2023, but that’s because he was on the same roster as Rafael Devers. In addition to his 98 DH days, the Red Sox found time for Turner to play first base (35 starts) and also cover some second base (4 starts) while battling injuries.
His fit in Toronto may be similar. Everything is a little bit.
A big part of this will depend on what the Blue Jays do next, considering they still need another legitimate hitter in this lineup. If the Blue Jays re-enter the DH market led by Martinez and Jorge Soler, Turner will need to be on the field regularly. If they enter the third base market led by old friend Matt Chapman, Turner could slide into more of a DH role and designate Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base. This will be a role similar to Brandon Belt’s a year ago.
Turner would be clearly worse than Chapman defensively at the hot corner — as is almost everyone on the planet — and Isaiah Kinner-Falefa is a skilled defender, so the Blue Jays won’t be able to use the 39-year-old on a regular basis. It would be amazing to see him used at third base with an emphasis on defense.
At the plate, Turner still has the understanding, which is why the Blue Jays were attracted to him. Turner batted .276 with 23 home runs and an .800 OPS for the Red Sox last season, making him a worthy successor to Belt. He also has an on-base percentage of .352 over the past three seasons combined, another strength of Belt’s and another skill needed more in this batting lineup. If Guerrero is going to bounce back because of his power bat, someone will need to push him.
The experience element cannot be overstated either. Bichette has developed into a thoughtful young leader, fully aware of what the team and clubhouse needs. While this team is no longer a young team by any means, its leadership is still needed and Turner brings 15 years of MLB experience to town. He also excelled in the postseason, hitting .270 with 13 home runs and an .830 OPS in 86 career games. He won the 2020 World Series as a member of the Dodgers, hitting two home runs and posting a 1.066 OPS in a six-game set against the Rays.
Much like Toronto previously acquired Kinel Falefa on a two-year, $15 million contract, this is another move that will become clearer once we know the full picture of Toronto’s offseason. It feels like. He’s just over two weeks away from spring training, which is amazing as of January 30th, but we still don’t see the full picture.
