MLB's free agent market has been slow for many players this winter, but it might start rolling this week, based on reports focusing on infielder Justin Turner.
MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported Monday that Turner is "increasingly likely" to decide on his 2024 team within the coming days. Morosi also notes that teams such as the New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago Cubs would all make sense as potential fits.
Justin Turner?s free-agent decision is increasingly likely to occur this week.@redturn2?s market is helped by the fact that multiple large-market teams ? Giants, Mets, Blue Jays, Cubs ? are looking to add an impact corner infielder. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 29, 2024
Turner spent the first five years of his big-league career with the Mets and Baltimore Orioles. Once New York released him following the 2013 season, though, he blossomed as a player. He landed with the Los Angeles Dodgers and spent nine years with the club. He was named to two All-Star teams and finished in the top 15 of National League MVP Award voting three times (2016-18). Turner has also racked up quite a bit of postseason experience, appearing in 86 playoff games. He was part of the Dodgers' 2020 World Series title squad.
The 2023 season was one of change for the right-handed hitter. He left Los Angeles and spent the year with the Boston Red Sox. Turner's steady offensive production followed him across the country during his age 38 season. He hit .276/.345/.455 with 23 home runs and 96 RBIs in 626 plate appearances (in 146 games played). Turner spent the majority of his Dodgers tenure playing third base. However, most of his playing time in 2023 (98 games) was spent as Boston's designated hitter. He also racked up 10 games at second base, seven at third base and 41 at first base.
At the start of the offseason, MLB Trade Rumors ranked Turner as baseball's 41st-best free agent. It also predicted the veteran would land a one-year, $16 million contract. We'll find out soon enough if his salary will be close to that prediction. With several teams looking for a veteran position player/designated hitter, he might not have a hard time reaching it.
