Should Red Sox Sign 2-Time All-Star, Reunite With Former Slugger?
Much has been written about the Boston Red Sox and their pursuit of a power bat.
Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow whiffed on Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso, but remains connected to several sluggers on the market, including third baseman Alex Bregman and Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Ketel Marte.
But if Breslow wants to take a flyer on a low-cost, high-upside alternative, here’s a name to consider: Justin Turner.
Yes, THAT Justin Turner. The one who spent the 2023 season with the Red Sox. The one who hit 23 home runs and set a career high with 96 RBIs while playing all around Boston’s infield.
Admittedly, Turner isn’t exactly a sure thing. After all, the 17-year veteran is 41 years old. Not exactly a spring chicken.
And yes, Turner struggled in 2025 with the Chicago Cubs, posting a career-low .602 OPS with three home runs in 80 games.
But perhaps a change scenery will help Turner discover his fountain of youth and the stroke which has helped him hit at least 20 home runs in five different seasons.
A right-handed bat, he could be a nice complement to the lefty-hitting Triston Casas at first base, giving the Red Sox a powerful platoon pairing.
Turner also has significant time at third base and would be an insurance policy of sorts should Bregman decide to leave Boston.
Just consider what MLB.com’s Will Leitch wrote about Turner’s free-agent status:
“Turner just had — by far — his least productive year since those early days with the Mets, hitting .219 for the Cubs and only getting two at-bats in the postseason.
“Chicago declined his option, sending him back into free agency for the fourth straight offseason,” Leitch continued. “Turner has said he wants to return in 2026 — and while his numbers were definitely down, he has certainly spent his entire career proving any doubters wrong.”
Is Turner a sure thing? Absolutely not. But he also won’t require a contract worth $30 million per year.
Are the Red Sox a better club with Bregman and/or Marte? Absolutely. But they have nothing to lose, and much to gain, by giving Turner another chance.