“Red Sox Reportedly Eye Reunion with $8M Free-Agent Slugger!”
Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
At this point in the offseason, most of Boston’s top free-agent and trade-market options have either signed with new teams or are remaining with their current organizations.
However, a few available players, including designated hitter Justin Turner, may have piqued the Red Sox’s interest. According to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal, Boston has checked in on Turner this offseason.
The 40-year-old, two-time All-Star spent the 2023 season with the Boston Red Sox, hitting .276 with an .800 OPS, 23 home runs, 96 RBIs and four stolen bases. He then split the 2024 season between the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners, hitting .259 with a .737 OPS, 11 home runs and 55 RBIs.
Turner has also been tremendous against left-handed pitching, hitting .275 with an .821 OPS in his career, which has been an area Boston struggled mightily in 2024.
The biggest issue right now would be playing time. If signed, he’d likely be the team’s designated hitter, a spot currently held by Masataka Yoshida. While Boston has tried to move Yoshida over the last two offseasons, they haven’t had any takers.
So, unless someone comes calling on the Red Sox’s current designated hitter, or they’re willing to just cut their losses, it’s hard to see Turner, who’s projected to sign for $7.7 million (via. Spotrac), joining in any more than a rotational role at this point.
