Morosi: Jays sign Justin Turner to 1-year deal

[Brownie19]

ZIPS also likes him, 1.7 fWAR in 507 PA

 

Dude walked more than he struck out in AAA and hit for some power

Has done that at a couple levels

 

The flaws are obvious (defensive profile, middling pop, age) but you can't fake this s***

 

He outhit guys like Matt Walner, Matt Mervis, Miguel Andujar, Bobby Dalbec, Jordan Westburg, etc in AAA in 2023

 

If Toronto doesn't want to give him a chance he has a guaranteed 500 PA chance with Oakland

 

As currently constructed, it would appear Horwitz has a firm role on this team heading into spring training. Backup 1st base and DH option v. RHP who could easily see 300+ PA's and has the opportunity to run with it if he get's hot.

[Captain Adama]

You got a hard on for Howritz.

 

Did you see Horwitz absolutely blast his first home run at Coors Field? That's some Barry Bonds power.

[wilko]

Did you see Horwitz absolutely blast his first home run at Coors Field? That's some Barry Bonds power.

 

He's on the juice!

[Terminator]

Did you see Horwitz absolutely blast his first home run at Coors Field? That's some Barry Bonds power.

 

I was at the game but I missed it and I'm still pissed about it.

 

I had a friend in town and he got me piss drunk the night before. I was up getting a little hair of the dog when Horwitz decided to blast one 450 feet. Still blaming my friend for this.

[G-Snarls]

I was at the game but I missed it and I'm still pissed about it.

 

I had a friend in town and he got me piss drunk the night before. I was up getting a little hair of the dog when Horwitz decided to blast one 450 feet. Still blaming my friend for this.

 

That's fair

[The_DH]

If this is our biggest signing in the offseason, you'll get a lot of upset people. If we can still add a better player than Turner, fans will be happy.

 

There may be a trade but what signing is available?

[wilko]

I was at the game but I missed it and I'm still pissed about it.

 

I had a friend in town and he got me piss drunk the night before. I was up getting a little hair of the dog when Horwitz decided to blast one 450 feet. Still blaming my friend for this.

 

Here you go degenerate:

 

 

https://www.mlb.com/video/spencer-horwitz-homers-1-on-a-fly-ball-to-right-center-field

[wamco]

As currently constructed, it would appear Horwitz has a firm role on this team heading into spring training. Backup 1st base and DH option v. RHP who could easily see 300+ PA's and has the opportunity to run with it if he get's hot.

 

Turner can back up 1b though. As can biggio. I’d think Horwitz would start at aaa at this point

[Terminator]

I think the reason this may come across as underwhelming is because Turner's ceiling is lower than Soler and JDM's.

 

We all love ceiling but there is something to be said for being as consistent as Turner is.

 

Add in a sprinkle of positional flexibility and I am talking myself more into this signing every minute.

 

[Jimcanuck]

Here you go degenerate:

 

 

https://www.mlb.com/video/spencer-horwitz-homers-1-on-a-fly-ball-to-right-center-field

 

92 MPH right in the wheelhouse lol

[The_DH]

I think the reason this may come across as underwhelming is because Turner's ceiling is lower than Soler and JDM's.

 

We all love ceiling but there is something to be said for being as consistent as Turner is.

 

Add in a sprinkle of positional flexibility and I am talking myself more into this signing every minute.

 

 

I'd agree if Schneider was being prepped for 3b. I think he could be useful there.

[Laika]

I think the reason this may come across as underwhelming is because Turner's ceiling is lower than Soler and JDM's.

 

We all love ceiling but there is something to be said for being as consistent as Turner is.

 

Add in a sprinkle of positional flexibility and I am talking myself more into this signing every minute.

 

 

Is his ceiling even lower?

 

The Dodgers got the most out of him in 2021 and he played 143 games at 3B, at 36 years old. His offensive skills that year were in line with 2023. He had a -5 UZR/150.

 

He has only played 73 games at 3B since then, across two seasons.

 

What if this f***ing geezer can actually play 80 semi-competent defensive innings at 3B this year, and put up a 120 wRC+?

 

I think 3 WAR is in reach. 4 WAR is hard to fathom but not unfathomable.

 

The World Series will be easy to make

[wilko]

Is his ceiling even lower?

 

The Dodgers got the most out of him in 2021 and he played 143 games at 3B, at 36 years old. His offensive skills that year were in line with 2023. He had a -5 UZR/150.

 

He has only played 73 games at 3B since then, across two seasons.

 

What if this f***ing geezer can actually player 80 semi-competent defensive innings at 3B this year, and put up a 120 wRC+?

 

I think 3 WAR is in reach. 4 WAR is hard to fathom but not unfathomable.

 

The World Series will be easy to make

 

World Series MVP!

[Terminator]

World Series MVP!

 

Walkoff homer in a Game 4 sweep against his old team the Dodgers

[Jays24]

There may be a trade but what signing is available?

 

Clearly has to be Bellinger/Chapman on a signing front. Seeing Varsho and IFK scheduled to be full time starters at 3B/LF is a disaster offensively with very little upside.

[Orgfiller]

Clearly has to be Bellinger/Chapman on a signing front. Seeing Varsho and IFK scheduled to be full time starters at 3B/LF is a disaster offensively with very little upside.

 

Varsho projects to be league average offensively with 25+ HR, I think a disaster is being harsh there. The upside is that he unlocks something in his physical profile that can allow him to tap into the power more frequently, he's already demonstrated 5 WAR upside before, and was a top prospect who demolished the upper levels of the minors.

 

IKF I can agree has no real offensive upside, just a boring low offense utility guy who can play 3B really well and other positions pretty well.

[Captain Adama]

Clearly has to be Bellinger/Chapman on a signing front. Seeing Varsho and IFK scheduled to be full time starters at 3B/LF is a disaster offensively with very little upside.

 

You wanna talk about a disaster

[The_DH]

Clearly has to be Bellinger/Chapman on a signing front. Seeing Varsho and IFK scheduled to be full time starters at 3B/LF is a disaster offensively with very little upside.

 

Unfortunately I have to agree with you. This team may be very versatile but it is in dire need of a bat. The idea that 4 of the bats will improve is an insult to the fan base. Right now I see this as an 83-87 win team.

[wilko]

Varsho projects to be league average offensively with 25+ HR, I think a disaster is being harsh there. The upside is that he unlocks something in his physical profile that can allow him to tap into the power more frequently, he's already demonstrated 5 WAR upside before, and was a top prospect who demolished the upper levels of the minors.

 

IKF I can agree has no real offensive upside, just a boring low offense utility guy who can play 3B really well and other positions pretty well.

 

The IKF signing is a head scratcher. A combo of Espinal/Biggio/Insert young player would have been better.

[jaysblue]

At this time last year, on paper, we were one of the favorites to win the World Series.

 

Blue Jays were also one of the favourites in Vegas to win the World Series in 2013.

[jaysblue]

I have no issue with Turner. Only a one-year deal and he's been one of those guys who has aged like fine wine. He put up real solid numbers last season. Just hope he doesn't fall off a clip at his age though.

 

Still think this teams needs a big power bat. They failed to address that need so far in the offseason and from the looks of it, won't be adding a guy like Soler or JDM. Gotta hope Vlad bounces back power wise, or else this lineup might not have a bat who could hit 30+ home runs.

[Laika]

Varsho projects to be league average offensively with 25+ HR, I think a disaster is being harsh there. The upside is that he unlocks something in his physical profile that can allow him to tap into the power more frequently, he's already demonstrated 5 WAR upside before, and was a top prospect who demolished the upper levels of the minors.

 

IKF I can agree has no real offensive upside, just a boring low offense utility guy who can play 3B really well and other positions pretty well.

 

No point responding to troll posts

But, I still have a decent amount of hope for Varsho, there are a few paths he could take to offensive improvement.

 

His K rate is not a nightmare so he should be able to make enough contact to hit .250 or so. He also has raw pop, as evidenced by his 112.5 maxEV and his 10.2% barrel rate in 2022

In 2020 and 2021 his Pull% was about 37%, but in 2022 and 2023 it ballooned to about 52%

His FB rate also ticked up from 42% to 44% in 2022 then 47% in 2023

 

We all saw the downside of this in 2023! Pop ups, too many can of corn flyballs, and a disastrous .256 BABIP

 

He can do either of these to be better:

 

1. Lean into his approach even more. Refine this all or nothing, launch baseballs approach. Basic improvement like comfort and putting a few better swings on balls would make him a 30 HR hitter. He would probably hit .230, though. .230/.300/.450. He's like Cal Raleigh, but a CF.

 

2. Go back to 2021 Daulton Varsho. 7 of his 11 HR that year were actually to CF or LCF/RCF so he still has HR power even if he isn't a pull monster. Letting the ball travel more might lead to a slightly higher BB% as well. I think he could be a .250/.320/.440 guy if he unwound his all or nothing approach just a bit.

[Grant77]

Not a fan. I would have preferred Belt or JDM.

[Laika]

The IKF signing is a head scratcher. A combo of Espinal/Biggio/Insert young player would have been better.

 

The problem is defense

 

None of these guys should be expected or would project to play a GOOD third base. We have seen Espinal and Biggio there and they are not good entertainment.

[wilko]

The problem is defense

 

None of these guys should be expected or would project to play a GOOD third base. We have seen Espinal and Biggio there and they are not good entertainment.

 

I know they won't be as good defensively as IKF.. but his offence hurts my soul.

[wamco]

Unfortunately I have to agree with you. This team may be very versatile but it is in dire need of a bat. The idea that 4 of the bats will improve is an insult to the fan base. Right now I see this as an 83-87 win team.

 

It’s 4 bats, 5 if you include IKF as well as no one else having a worse season and staying as healthy as last year.

 

That is a lot of faith.

 

How do we handle Jansen as an expiring contract? Do we ride him with more DH opportunities? get some reps in LF? Doesn’t appear so. I hope he is extended before free agency.

I don’t think Turner can handle 3b, but if he could vs some righties, I would plop him there and then Dh Horwitz or Jansen. Gotta like the RC+ gained from replacing IKF for one of those 2. Of course 3b defense would suffer immensely until Turner lifted for IKF in 8th or 9th inning.

Edited January 30, 2024 by wamco

[Jimcanuck]

Josh Donaldson had a .115 BABIP in 2023. How is that even possible? Did he lose so much bat speed all he could do was make weak contact?

[Jays24]

Varsho projects to be league average offensively with 25+ HR, I think a disaster is being harsh there. The upside is that he unlocks something in his physical profile that can allow him to tap into the power more frequently, he's already demonstrated 5 WAR upside before, and was a top prospect who demolished the upper levels of the minors.

 

IKF I can agree has no real offensive upside, just a boring low offense utility guy who can play 3B really well and other positions pretty well.

 

Maybe he can but it was embarrassing watching him at the plate last year. I truly hope he can turn it around because he seems like a great teammate/hard worker. I'm just basing this on what I've actually seen.

 

This team still needs to add one more legit bat at 3B/LF. The offense currently won't allow the Jays to be legit World Series contenders.

[Jays24]

You wanna talk about a disaster

 

Ya I agree if it's on the contracts THEY want but the fact it's almost Feb and they're unsigned makes me think their contracts won't look as bad as we all thought.

 

Bellinger would be ideal simply because he's a left handed bat who can bat 3rd for us and provides plus defense.

[Laika]

I know they won't be as good defensively as IKF.. but his offence hurts my soul.

 

He might be a more interesting watch than Biggio or Espinal

 

Espinal can't steal bases or hit homers. At least IKF can swipe a few bags every month.

 

Biggio can just f*** off too. Dude has been getting the STRONG SIDE PLATOON ADVANTAGE for most of his career and he hits like 7 dingers a season.

 

They f***ing suckkkkkkkkkkk. Biggio is only good for walks.

 

IKF actually has a higher maxEV than Espinal. I think the only argument for Espinal offensively is something like, he has a demonstrated ability to hit the gaps for doubles a bit more often? I dunno.