Justin Turner signs 1-year deal with Blue Jays

January 30th, 2024

TORONTO — The Blue Jays signed Justin Turner to a one-year deal worth $13 million on Tuesday, bringing one of baseball’s most reliable veterans to Toronto.

The contract includes $1.5 million in roster and performance bonuses, a source told MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi.

“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 in a statement. “Justin’s history of delivering in big moments and his consistent pursuit of winning are admirable traits. Additionally, he and Kourtney’s commitment to charitable work is equally inspiring and aligns with our team’s values. We couldn’t be more excited for the impact Justin will have on our franchise both on and off the field.”

The need for a veteran bat has been clear, and that belief has been shared by some of Toronto’s core players, including Bo Bichette. Speaking recently on 590 The FAN’s “Blair & Barker,” Bichette highlighted Turner as someone he’d like to play alongside when he spoke about how this team can improve.

“I think that, just as players striving to be the best we can be and striving to win a World Series, that should be the case for the whole organization,” Bichette said. “There are great players out there in JT – Justin Turner – and J.D. Martinez. Those are two guys that come to my mind that are bats who can help not only on the field but off the field as well.”

The Blue Jays are betting that Turner, at 39, has another strong season left in the tank after seeing him in the division with the Red Sox one year ago. Turner’s OPS has dipped below .800 only once in the past decade, dating back to his surprise breakout with the Dodgers, but his defensive fit is where this gets interesting in Toronto.

Turner played just seven games at third base in 2023, but that’s because he was on the same roster as Rafael Devers. Along with 98 DH days, the Red Sox found time for Turner at first base (35 starts), and he even covered some second base (four starts) while they battled injuries.

His fit in Toronto could be similar: a little bit of everything.

So much of this depends on what the Blue Jays do next, given that this lineup still needs another legitimate bat. If the Blue Jays dip back into the DH market, led by Martinez and Jorge Soler, that would necessitate Turner playing the field regularly. If they dip into the third-base market, led by old friend Matt Chapman, then Turner would slide into more DH reps and spell Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base, a role similar to Brandon Belt’s from a year ago.

Turner would be a clear downgrade from Chapman defensively at the hot corner – almost anyone on the planet is – and Isiah Kiner-Falefa is a skilled defender, so it would be surprising to see the Blue Jays roll out the 39-year-old regularly at third base given their emphasis on defending.

At the plate, Turner’s still got it, which is why the Blue Jays were so drawn to him. With the Red Sox last season, Turner hit .276 with 23 home runs and an .800 OPS, lining him up well to replace Belt’s production. He also owns a .352 on-base percentage over the past three seasons combined, another strength of Belt’s and another skill this lineup needed more of. If the power bats are going to bounce back – namely Guerrero – they’ll need someone to drive in.

The element of experience can’t be overstated, either. Bichette has grown into a thoughtful young leader, fully aware of what his team and clubhouse need. This is no longer a young team by any means, but that leadership is still needed and Turner brings 15 years of MLB experience to town with him. He’s also excelled in the postseason, batting .270 with 13 home runs and an .830 OPS over 86 career games. He won the 2020 World Series as a member of the Dodgers, posting a 1.066 OPS with a pair of homers in the six-game set against the Rays.

Much like Toronto’s previous addition of Kiner-Falefa on a two-year, $15 million deal, this feels like another move that will be given greater clarity when we have the full picture of Toronto’s offseason. As remarkable as it is to say on Jan. 30, with Spring Training just over two weeks away, we don’t have the full picture just yet.