The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the offseason with a tough decision to make on the future of Justin Turner with the club.
Turner had a $16 million club option, but the Dodgers elected to buyout the deal for $2 million, which made him a free agent. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said keeping Turner with the team would be a priority, but his return became less likely in recent days.
Turner was drawing interest from multiple teams, including the Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres, Miami Marlins, Arizona Diamondbacks and Boston Red Sox. On Sunday, he reportedly agreed to a deal with the Red Sox, according to Joon Lee of ESPN:
Third baseman Justin Turner and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a contract, sources tell me and @JeffPassan
Turner, 38, is expected to spend most of his time at designated hitter or first base, with Rafael Devers at third. Turner had been a Dodger for the last nine years
— Joon Lee (@joonlee) December 18, 2022
The contract is reportedly for two years with an average annual value of around $11 million per season, and it also includes the ability for Turner to beome a free agent again next offseason, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN:
Justin Turner's deal with the Boston Red Sox is for two years and just shy of $22 million, and it includes an opt-out after the first season, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/9kAFqqX6ay
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 18, 2022
Turner started the 2022 season slowly but rebounded to hit .278/.350/.438 with 13 home runs and a 123 wRC+. He additionally set a career-high with 36 doubles, passing the 34 he hit during the 2016 season.
Turner expressed a desire to retire with the Dodgers and became a franchise legend since joining the team on a Minor League deal before the 2014 season. In nine years with the team, Turner has batted .296/.375/.490 with 235 doubles, 156 home runs and 574 RBI over 1,075 games.
He holds several Dodgers postseason records and is the all-time franchise leader in hit-by-pitches.
The Dodgers will presumably move forward with Miguel Vargas and Max Muncy as the primary third baseman, while J.D. Martinez, who reportedly agreed to terms on Saturday, will play as the everyday designated hitter.
Seth Lugo likely deciding between Dodgers and Padres
The Dodgers have already signed Clayton Kershaw and Noah Syndergaard, but they have additionally have been among the teams with reported interest in Seth Lugo.
Although the 33-year-old has been an effective relief pitcher for the New York Mets, Lugo is said to be interested in signing with a team that will allow him to start.
The Dodgers are thought to be among those teams, and he may be deciding between signing with them or the Padres.
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