2) Red Sox free agent signing of Justin Turner is paying off
Continuing the theme of adding ex-Los Angeles Dodgers to the roster, the Red Sox brought in Justin Turner this offseason. He joined a lineup already packed with Enrique Hernandez and Alex Verdugo as well as one other player who had a long career in Southern California. More on him shortly.
Turner signed with the Red Sox after yet another productive season with the Dodgers. He batted .278/.350/.438 with 13 home runs and 81 RBI in 532 plate appearances. Looking to go in a different direction, the Dodgers let him leave ahead of his age 38 campaign. We can’t blame them. By now, Turner should be slowing down.
Instead, Turner has been just as good for the Red Sox this year. The power is steadily decreasing but other statistics are holding up well.
Working regularly as the team’s DH, Turner is slashing .277/.370/.397 through his first 165 plate appearances. He has gone deep 3 times and driven in 14. The statistic we cannot easily look up is the impact he has on the locker room. For years, he was one of the leaders out in LA. There is little doubt he has brought some of those skills with him to Beantown.
While everyone was eagerly watching where the other Turner, Trea, would sign this offseason, it’s Justin who is having the far better start with his new ball club.