Ex-Red Sox Slugger Floated As Possible Free Agent Target For NL Central Champions
One former member of the Boston Red Sox is looking for a new home this offseason.
Boston landed two-time All-Star Justin Turner last offseason and he impressed in 2023 with the Red Sox, but likely will be playing elsewhere in 2024. Turner opted out of his contract with Boston and has been a hot commodity so far in free agency.
The free agent market has been slow so far but is expected to heat up once Orix Buffaloes ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto decides where he will play next year. Once free agency picks up, it likely won't be long for Turner to find a club.
There's always a chance that the Red Sox could end up bringing him back to town, but if not, multiple clubs have been linked to him already including the New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks. Another club that could make sense for Turner is the Milwaukee Brewers, according to Bleacher Report's Zachary Rymer.
"Though (Jake Bauers) is better than nothing, he alone isn't a fix for the poor production that the Brewers got from both corners of the infield this season," Rymer said. "Though he's more of a first base/DH type than a third baseman at this stage of his career, Justin Turner is nonetheless the best of a thin list of options for both spots.
"Even at the age of 38, he still posted a .800 OPS and 23 home runs in 2023. Whether the Brewers can afford Turner is the question, though the answer should be yes. As of now, they're projected to spend $16 million less in 2024 than they did in 2023."
The Brewers are in an intriguing spot. Milwaukee finished in first place in the National League Central with 92 wins but lost manager Craig Counsell this offseason and seemingly is nearing a rebuild. There's a chance Milwaukee trades away ace Corbin Burnes this offseason which would signal a rebuild.
There's also a chance that the Brewers view 2024 as another chance to compete for a postseason spot before an eventual rebuild. Turner would make perfect sense in that situation on a short-term deal.
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