TORONTO: Justin Turner is prepared to embody any aspect of himself that the Toronto Blue Jays wish.
Speaking to reporters via video conference on Friday, Turner stated, “My job is to be available for (manager John) Schneider in any
way he needs me, and for as many games as I possibly can.” This was Turner’s first time speaking to reporters since signing a one-year
contract worth US$13 million plus incentives with the Blue Jays on January 30.
“I want Schneids to be able to plug me in wherever he needs me to play, and I want to be healthy for 162 (games).”
“I’ll be prepared to play third base, if it means playing a lot of it. I’ll be prepared if Vlad is spelled incorrectly at first. Additionally, if
Although Turner’s utilityman resume would make his manager happy, his recent age has restricted his field work to spot duty.
For the Boston Red Sox in 2023, the 39-year-old made just seven starts at third base. He also had 10 starts at second and 41 at first,
mostly as a designated hitter.
But after Brandon Belt left in free agency, the Blue Jays needed a seasoned cleanup slugger.
Turner shown last season that he still has a lot to offer offensively. He was a rare bright light for a struggling Red Sox team in 2023,
appearing in 626 plate appearances over 146 games and putting up respectable numbers with a.800 OPS,.276 batting average,
and.455 slugging percentage.
Turner was third on the club with 23 home runs and second in RBIs (96), only behind standout third baseman Rafael Devers.
Turner would have been among the Blue Jays’ best hitters if those stats had been met, and that knowledge helped Toronto become a
desirable travel destination when a reunion with the Red Sox became unfeasible.
Regarding his free agency choice, Turner stated, “I like to put together a list of destinations that I would hope to land at, and Toronto
was one of the teams at the top of that list.”
Turner claimed that while playing in Boston, he had a “front-row view” of the division-rival Blue Jays and realized that Toronto had
many things to offer.
“Their beginning
The Blue Jays, who have qualified for three wild-card series since 2020 but have lost all of them, are eager to move on from their
previous postseason performances. Turner intends to address that as well as his.He can, as seen by his 276 lifetime post-season
average, 2017 NLCS MVP honor, and 2020 World Series ring with the Dodgers.
Turner is prepared to assist in getting the young and gifted Blue Jays across the finish line because he understands what it takes to
win. He made this apparent on Friday.
Regarding what helped the Dodgers win a World Series three years prior, Turner remarked, “If you want to win a World Series, we’re
going to have to swallow some pride and just do what it takes.”
You won’t care if it’s the glamorous role or not, I can assure you.
Turner understands that as a seasoned player, he must lead by example and gain the respect of his teammates. The Blue Jays’ hopes of
winning a World Series in the increasingly competitive AL East will depend on sacrifice, and Turner stated he is more than willing to
make it.
Turner remarked, “I’m frequently asked, ‘What is your favorite position?’ It’s literally just being in the lineup.”
The Canadian Press originally released this story on February 2, 2024.
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