Justin Turner joins the Red Sox on a one-year contract

Justin Turner joins the Red Sox on a one-year contract

The Red Sox announced on Friday that they had signed free agent Justin Turner, adding a gritty run producer to their lineup. Turner has a one-year contract with a 2024 player option. Darwinzon Hernandez, a left-handed pitcher, was designated for assignment by Boston in order to create space for Turner on the 40-man roster.

After losing free agents J.D. Martinez (Dodgers) and Xander Bogaerts (Padres), it was no secret that the Red Sox were searching for a right-handed hitter.

During the previous season, Turner, 38, alternated between third base and designated hitter. With Rafael Devers, Boston’s premier slugger, manning the hot corner, Turner will probably get most of his at-bats at second base.

Turner has made 25 career starts at first base, so he might possibly see some action there. Left-handed hitter Triston Casas, a rookie, is expected to start at first base for Boston. Turner initially had some difficulties versus certain lefties.

Turner joins utility player Kiké Hernández and closer Kenley Jansen as the three members of the Dodgers’ 2020 World Series winning team on the Red Sox roster. Chris Martin and Alex Verdugo are also former Dodgers. Hernández shared his joy at getting back again with his old teammate on Twitter.

Turner is the second important bat the Red Sox have signed this summer, after Japanese import Masataka Yoshida, who was unveiled at a press conference.

Before the season begins, chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom is likely to add one or two more batters. The Red Sox are willing to upgrade at catcher and are still looking for a middle-infield bat to take Bogaerts’ spot.

With the Green Monster 310 feet from home plate at Fenway Park, Turner should be rewarded for his ability to pull the ball.

Turner had a sluggish start to the 2022 campaign, hitting just.168/.226/.242 with one home run in his first 26 games. Even though his 37-year-old age seemed to be a severe decrease given his performance, he swiftly turned things around.

Turner slashed.306/.380/.488 over his final 102 games starting on May 10 with 32 doubles, 68 RBIs, and a home run. Over that time, Turner’s.868 OPS placed him 13th among Major League qualifiers, barely ahead of Carlos Correa and Nolan Arenado and behind Austin Riley and Pete Alonso.

However, Turner was given a $2 million buyout by the Dodgers in lieu of his $16 million club option for 2023.

Turner started just 66 games at the hot corner in 2022, but he started 61 at second base. Turner had been the Dodgers’ starting third baseman for the previous few seasons. According to Statcast, he has ranked in the 28th percentile for arm strength this season and has -1 Outs Above Average at third since 2020.

After spending four seasons in Queens, Turner, a 14-year veteran, was non-tendered by the Mets and signed with the Dodgers in February 2014. Turner rapidly established himself as a vital member of his new club with his rebuilt swing. In Los Angeles Dodgers history (minimum 2,000 plate appearances), his 133 OPS+ is good for seventh place.