Turner agrees to 2-year contract with Red Sox
Turner spent the last nine years with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he became one of the most productive and consistent hitters in the National League. Now 38, he’ll head to Boston, which already has perennial MVP candidate Rafael Devers at third base, and likely settle into a first base or designated hitter role, perhaps taking the spot of J.D. Martinez, who agreed to a deal Saturday with the Dodgers
While Turner’s power declined this year, he remained a well above-average hitter, batting .278/.350/.438 with 13 home runs and 81 RBIs in 128 games. After spending most of his 20s as a utilityman with the Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets, Turner’s renaissance began in Los Angeles, where he hit .296/.375/.490 during the regular season and .270/.370/.460 with 13 home runs in 86 postseason games.
Known for his long red beard and clutch bat–his OPS is more than 50 points higher in his career with runners in scoring position–Turner had re-signed with the Dodgers twice. His first foray into free agency in 2016 earned him a four-year, $64 million contract, and prior to the 2021 season, he signed a two-year, $32 million deal with a club option for 2023.
When the Dodgers opted to pay a $2 million buyout in lieu of a $16 million salary for next year, the possibility grew that Turner would move on.
The Dodgers had continued to negotiate with him this week, but when Martinez agreed to a one-year, $10 million contract, Turner’s talks with the Red Sox accelerated. He joins a team that finished last in the American League East Division last year and already this winter lost Martinez and franchise shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who signed with the San Diego Padres for 11 years and $280 million.
Among the Red Sox’ moves this winter: they signed Japanese outfielder Masataka Yoshida to a five-year, $90 million contract, plus a $15.4 million posting fee, and added three relievers: closer Kenley Jansen, right-hander Chris Martin and left-hander Joely Rodriguez, for a combined total of $51.5 million.
