3 players in Red Sox Opening Day lineup who won’t be on the roster next season
By Mark Powell
Red Sox Opening Day lineup: Justin Turner could cash in
Justin Turner leaving the Dodgers in the first place was a bit of a surprise, but entering his age-38 season, Los Angeles didn’t believe the red beard could replicate his production. Now in Boston, Turner will get a chance to prove himself on a short-term contract.
Turner has a player option for next season that would pay him upwards of $13.5 million for the 2024 campaign. There’s a good chance he’ll take that, as it’s unclear what the market will be for a 38-year-old designated hitter next offseason. However, should Turner have a Nelson Cruz-esque season in a primary hitting role for the Sox — a big market, mind you — he ought to at least test the waters.
Yes, even before stepping on the field at Fenway Park, Chaim Bloom knew there was a risk of losing Turner come next offseason. It’s all part of the business.
Bloom brought in Turner to replace J.D. Martinez, who bolted for Los Angeles in a bizarre episode of trading places. Turner and the Sox have a great approach at the plate heading into the season. Should he replicate is across 150-plus game, he could be looking at one more large contract.
“That’s kind of the culture we need to create: make the other team work hard with 27 outs,” Turner said, per MassLive. “I think getting a starting pitcher out of the game by the fifth inning should be a goal every single night so we can get into those 11th, 12th, 13th guys on the roster coming in to pitch innings in the sixth or seventh. I think that’s how you win a lot of baseball games.”
This year is make or break for Turner, as he bet on himself.
dark. Next. 1 trade every MLB team would like to have back