The Red Sox have signed their contract with a veteran infielder Justin Turner this afternoon. Initial reports of the deal, which was agreed in December, were somewhat mixed.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post gave the details this afternoon (on twitter). It’s officially a two-year, $21.7 million warranty that has an average annual value of $10.85 million. The deal also includes up to $1 million in incentives, capped if he hits 560 record appearances. As previously reported, Turner will have the option to opt out after the 2023 campaign.
The Vayner Sports client is set to make $8.3 million in salary this year. At the end of the season, he must choose either a $13.4 million player option or a $6.7 million buyout to return to free agency. That hefty buyout means Turner would raise $15 million for a season if he signed out, and he would only need to top $6.7 million on the open market to get away financially. If he can match or beat the .278/.350/.438 line he made in 532 plate appearances during his senior season with the Dodgers, he should be able to beat that number fairly easily.
The two-time All-Star spent nine seasons in Southern California after his early years roleplaying with the Orioles and Mets. He took to Twitter tonight to thank the Dodgers organization and their fans after officially penning with Boston.
with Raphael Devers and Triston Casas Turner, who is set to occupy the infield corner, looks likely to have a decent time as a designated batsman in 2023. He will replace JD Martinezwho happened to land in Los Angeles on a year-long free-agent deal.