Morosi: Jays sign Justin Turner to 1-year deal

[BTS]

[RobinThicc]

Carlos Baerga reigns supreme

[Laika]

Nice

[BTS]

The FO seems to be prioritizing financial flexibility. IKF the only multi-year deal given out this offseason.

[Spanky99]

Not bad, don't hate it, was expecting more ISO though. 3B is an option through the grind of a season also.

[Angrioter]

4th place

[Spanky99]

The FO seems to be prioritizing financial flexibility. IKF the only multi-year deal given out this offseason.

 

Yeah, they went that route after missing out on Ohtani and Yoshi, I understand it.

[Spanky99]

4th place

 

Dumbass!

[Brownie19]

Interesting. Very curious if they think he can handle 60-80 games at 3rd or not.

 

The guy is a professional hitter. This is like getting a right handed Michael Brantley (whom most have wanted for years). But he's old as dirt and could fall off the cliff at any moment. Will be interesting to see what he cost us. This is a pretty boring move.

[harvey16]

Decent signing, replacement for Belt with a better bat and can play 3rd base in a pinch. The only concern is age, he's 39 so hopefully his production doesn't fall off a cliff. Veterin presence at least and it's only a low risk 1 year deal. Hopefully this leaves us room to pick up at least one more bat, preferably a Lefty as we are extremely right hand heavy now.

[Krylian]

Hope he has some juice left

[BTS]

[Brownie19]

Justin Turner is getting a one-year, $13 million deal from the Blue Jays that includes an extra $1.5 million in bonuses.

 

That’s a pretty good deal for Turner, particularly since the supply seems to exceed the demand for DH-type hitters right now. Of course, it helps Turner’s case that he’s pretty good at first and still playable at third.

 

 

 

Sounds like there will be no Jorge Soler. Jays had to flex to get their guy I guess.

[BTS]

At that price point it seems one of two things are true:

 

Belt didn't want to come back

They plan to use Turner at 3B for a few dozen games

[harvey16]

It's a 1 year deal for $13M plus an additional $1.5M in possible performance based incentives. A bit of an overpay IMO based on what Joc Pederson signed for, but I'm okay with it.

[Brownie19]

It's a 1 year deal for $13M plus an additional $1.5M in possible performance based incentives. A bit of an overpay IMO based on what Joc Pederson signed for, but I'm okay with it.

 

Joc wanted to play on the west coast. The Jays probably would have had to offer him $20M to come here.

[Jonn]

I like the signing a proven veteran performer. You can put him somewhere in the middle or the lineup and he will reliably drive in runs.

[John_Havok]

Still hits lefties very well...140 WRC+ against them last year and 125 career.

 

Just keep him off the damn field.

 

Between him and IKF, they've just recreated Chapman

Edited January 30, 2024 by John_Havok

[glory]

That's more than I expected Turner to get, but it's possible the other DH options either didn't want to come to Toronto, wanted multi year deals, or both. Seems like the Jays wanted to maintain flexibility and not get tied down to longer term deals this winter. Probably the smart move in the long run, but not sure how high it raises the ceiling for the 2024 team. Turner is 39 and could easily fall off a cliff in 2024. We have to hope he has one more good year left in him. I think they might pair this signing with a smaller bench signing now, someone like Michael A Taylor or something.

[Laika]

At that price point it seems one of two things are true:

 

Belt didn't want to come back

They plan to use Turner at 3B for a few dozen games

 

Belt's health issues and K rate, pretty big red flags

 

He limped to a good platoon season in 2023 but man a lot of it was accomplished by just jumping fastballs and guess hitting, right? I don't have much confidence at all that he will be good in 2024.

 

Feel like Turner is a better "hitter" still and obviously has better health despite age; he just played 146 games. Also, can hold his own against RHP so can just be a full time player if need be.

[Laika]

I just love it. I love everything Ross does. Perfect player at the perfect price. A perfect cherry on top of the end of a perfect offseason.

 

Smitten.

[TheHurl]

That's more than I expected Turner to get, but it's possible the other DH options either didn't want to come to Toronto, wanted multi year deals, or both. Seems like the Jays wanted to maintain flexibility and not get tied down to longer term deals this winter. Probably the smart move in the long run, but not sure how high it raises the ceiling for the 2024 team. Turner is 39 and could easily fall off a cliff in 2024. We have to hope he has one more good year left in him. I think they might pair this signing with a smaller bench signing now, someone like Michael A Taylor or something.

 

He turned down a $13.4M option, but the way this market was shaking out I agree, I expected $10M

[Brownie19]

I like the signing a proven veteran performer. You can put him somewhere in the middle or the lineup and he will reliably drive in runs.

 

2023

 

bases empty - .232

RISP - .338

 

Our RISP issues are fixed guys. We signed a clutch hitter. Sarcasm aside, he's been a much more productive hitter with RISP throughout his career too - one of the few players who consistently performs better with RISP.

[Laika]

He turned down a $13.4M option, but the way this market was shaking out I agree, I expected $10M

 

I think he had a $6M buyout on the option though

 

So it was more like turning down a $7.4M option

[Stangstag]

 

Would’ve preferred Joc at this cost but whatever…

[Stangstag]

At that price point it seems one of two things are true:

 

Belt didn't want to come back

They plan to use Turner at 3B for a few dozen games

 

I could see Turner starting at 3B every other day, then IKF replacing him by the 6th/7th depending on score

[Jimcanuck]

Does this torpedo Soler to the Jays?

 

Turner, Vlad, Springer sharing DH duties. Turner superior to Vlad at 1B, Vlad could be the guy getting the most DH reps. Unless he comes to camp fit as a fiddle.

[Laika]

Does this torpedo Soler to the Jays?

 

Turner, Vlad, Springer sharing DH duties. Turner superior to Vlad at 1B, Vlad could be the guy getting the most DH reps. Unless he comes to camp fit as a fiddle.

 

Why are you like this? Springer is not a DH.

 

But yes, it makes it very unlikely. Soler would only be a logical full time DH. Now, JT likely slots in for a decent portion of DH duties.

 

Kind of think the only possible addition they might make (budget allowing...) is some sort of RBH OF willing to sign on as a presumptive 4th OF to begin the year. Tommy Pham the obvious dude but he might cost too much.

[Jimcanuck]

Would’ve preferred Joc at this cost but whatever…

 

Not sure about that. Joc's wRC+ splits are 80 and 115. Turner's are 142 and 105.

[z3r0s]

Great signing. In a vacuum I think I would have preferred Soler, but there is a ton to like about Turner, especially at that $ and term.

As many have said, proven production is a nice thing to have.