So, guess who’s flying north this season? Yep, Justin Turner is now a Blue Jay, folks.
. And if you’re wondering about the moolah,
. Turner’s bagging a cool $13 million, with a chance to pocket an extra $1.5 million. Not too shabby, eh?
Now, Turner’s no spring chicken at 39. But man, did he swing his bat last season with the Red Sox. We’re talking a .276 average and knocking 23 homers out of the park. Oh, and he didn’t just stop there. He racked up a career-high 96 RBIs. Seems like he’s still got plenty of gas left in the tank.
Interestingly, Turner found himself chilling at first base quite a bit last year. That’s a bit of a switch-up from his usual hot corner spot. But hey, he’s shared the field with Rafael Devers, so he knows his way around. In Toronto, it looks like he’ll be juggling duties between DH, first, and third base. And just between us, this doesn’t mean the Blue Jays are closing the door on a Chapman comeback.
Now, let’s not kid ourselves. Turner’s glory days of batting over .300 might be a tad behind him. But, the guy’s been a consistent hitter since 2014. Plus, he’s got a treasure trove of playoff experience. We’re talking World Series runs, NLCS MVP—you name it. His postseason stats? Pretty darn impressive.
But here’s a little food for thought. Some folks might wonder if Fenway’s cozy confines helped puff up Turner’s stats last season. Sure, his batting average was a bit higher at home. Yet, his power didn’t just show up at Fenway. The dude still launched homers and doubled up on the road. So, maybe it’s not all about the Green Monster after all.
And there you have it. Turner’s ready to bring his bat, experience, and maybe a bit of that Fenway magic to Toronto. Only time will tell how this chapter unfolds. But one thing’s for sure—it’s gonna be an interesting season for the Blue Jays.
