The Toronto Blue Jays and free agent infielder Justin Turner have agreed on a one-year, $13 million deal with incentives for the 2024 season. The deal carries $1.5 million in roster and performance bonuses; the veteran is expected to be Toronto’s main designated hitter, but will fill in at third base and first base as necessary, according to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi.
The 39-year-old Turner spent last season in Boston after signing a two-year, $21.7 million contract; he received a $6.7 million buyout from Boston and hit free agency for the second consecutive offseason. With the Red Sox, Turner batted .276 with 23 home runs and a career-best 96 RBIs in 146 games last season.
Turner – a two-time All-Star (2017, 2021) and World Series champion (2020) while playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers – is a career .288 hitter with 187 homers and 759 RBIs in 1,539 games. He has played for the Baltimore Orioles (2009-10), New York Mets (2010-13), Dodgers (2014-22) and Red Sox (2023).
Turner has played in 146 games last year and totaled 23 home runs, 96 RBIs and a .276 batting average, and has also accumulated a .800 OPS or better in nine of his last 10 seasons.
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