The Toronto Blue Jays finally added an impact hitter in the offseason on Tuesday.
After failed pursuits of Shohei Ohtani and Cody Bellinger, and retaining Kevin Kiermaier and bringing in Isiah Kiner-Falefa, the Jays are signing 39-year-old infielder Justin Turner.
They defeated other contenders that were in the race and will be bringing in a steady contributor to a lineup that needed some punch.
It will be, according to reporters, a one-year pact worth a hefty sum of money.
“Source: Justin Turner’s 1-year deal with Toronto has a $13 million base salary with $1.5 million in roster and performance bonuses,” MLB insider Jon Morosi tweeted.
Source: Justin Turner's 1-year deal with Toronto has a $13 million base salary with $1.5 million in roster and performance bonuses. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 30, 2024
It’s a nice payday for a veteran of 15 seasons who is already pushing 40.
Still, that’s a very generic way to describe Turner and might be misinterpreted.
He is actually a steady and consistent producer whose offensive output won’t lead his team, but will be of great help in securing collective objectives.
He goes out and hits close to 20 home runs and has a .300 average year in and year out.
In 2023, with the Boston Red Sox, he played 146 games and finished with a .800 OPS, 31 doubles, 23 home runs, and 96 RBI.
He will be joining Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, George Springer, Danny Jansen and other top hitters in an improving Blue Jays lineup.
General manager Ross Atkins and Jays fans hope Turner can be the missing piece to make a deep postseason run.
After all, he is highly experienced in those instances: Turner holds an .830 OPS with 13 playoff home runs.
NEXT: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Lands Special 2024 Honor