(Toronto) Justin Turner is ready to be the version of himself the Toronto Blue Jays want.
“My role is to be available for (team manager) John Schneider, however he wants to use me and for as many games as possible,” Turner said by videoconference Friday, while he spoke to reporters for the first time since signing a one-year contract with the Blue Jays.
The contract is worth 13 million, in addition to performance bonuses. Turner signed with the Canadian team on January 30.
“If it’s third cushion, I’ll play third,” he added. If it’s a designated hitter role, that’s good for me too. »
Aged 39, Turner has made just seven starts at third base for the Boston Red Sox in 2023. He added 10 starts at second base and 41 at first base, serving primarily as a designated hitter.
However, the Blue Jays needed a veteran hitter after the departure of Brandon Belt as a free agent.
Last season with the Red Sox, Turner posted a .276 batting average in 626 plate appearances in 146 games. Additionally, the latter played with an ankle injury for the majority of the second half of the season.
Turner finished third on the team in home runs with 23, and finished second on the Red Sox in RBIs with 96, behind third baseman Rafael Devers.
These statistics would have made Turner one of the Blue Jays’ best hitters last season, which helped the athlete in his decision, since Boston was no longer a possible destination for his new contract.
“I like to make a list of places I’d like to end up and Toronto was one of the destinations at the top of that list,” Turner said of his choice.
Turner knows what it takes to win and he made it clear Friday that he’s ready to help the team’s young talent get to the next level.
“If you want to win the World Series, we’re going to have to put some pride aside and do what we have to do,” Turner said, talking about what led the Dodgers to the big honors three seasons ago . Whether it’s the good part or not, I promise you it won’t matter when you have the trophy in your hands at the end of the day. »