Justin Turner Signs With Blue Jays Despite Wanting To Stay With Red Sox

Justin Turner signed a one-year $13 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday, but recent reports say the team wasn’t necessarily his first choice.

Turner was previously with the Boston Red Sox in 2023 and said that he originally intended to resign with them in 2024. 

Negotiations between Turner and Boston for next year never got off the ground, despite his representatives reaching out to the front office. The 39-year-old designated hitter hit .276 for 23 home runs and a career-high 96 RBIs for the Red Sox last year.

“I think as time went on it was appearing to be less and less likely [to return to Boston],” Turner said. “Right when the season ended, I assumed that it would be a no-brainer that I would try to work something out and come back.”

Though Turner wanted to return to Boston, new Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow and the team wanted to go in a different direction. The Red Sox seem to be making a string of new moves as, most recently, baseball executive Theo Epstein was brought in as a part owner of Fenway Sports Group, soon to be a large influence in the team’s decision-making going forward. Turner, instead, goes to Toronto, where he is set to be the team’s primary designated hitter. 

Before with Boston, Turner won a World Series in his nine years spent with the Dodgers, as well as spending time with the Mets and Orioles prior. Coming off one of his better years, Toronto is hopeful the veteran can help them the team that hasn’t won a playoff series since 2016. The Blue Jays have resigned outfielder Kevin Kiermaier and brought in infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa to go along with established stars Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. Toronto was 14th in runs scored with 746 and 13th in slugging percentage at .413 after finishing 89-73 in 2023. 

“Justin Turner has proven himself not only as an exceptional player on the field but also an exemplary leader in the clubhouse,” Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said. “Justin’s history of delivering in big moments and his consistent pursuit of winning are admirable traits.”

Turner has hit .288 for 187 home runs and 759 RBIs in his 15-year career with two all-star selections. Though mostly a designated hitter, he also played in the infield for Boston in 41 games, with the ability to be a reliable backup first or third baseman for the Blue Jays.