Justin Turner Signs Multi-Year Deal To Move To East Coast

You could almost look at it as a straight up trade. Soon after the Los Angeles Dodgers signed veteran JD Martinez, the man he's essentially replacing in LA, Justin Turner, has gone off to take Martinez's spot with the Boston Red Sox. 

Terms on Justin Turner with Red Sox, per source: Two years, $21.7M if he exercises player option for 2024, one year, $15M if he does not. Can also earn $200K each in ‘23 for 480, 500, 520, 540 and 560 plate appearances. Maximum $1M. Pending physical.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 19, 2022

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the deal is for two years, $21.7M if he exercises his player option for 2024, or one year, $15M if he does not. He is also set earn an extra $200K each in ‘23 for 480, 500, 520, 540 and 560 plate appearances.

The 38-year-old Turner is the definition of a professional hitter. He had been a mainstay in the heart of the order for the Dodgers over the past nine seasons, hitting .296 over that span with an .865 OPS, two All-Star nods and a World Series ring. He leaves behind quite a Dodgers legacy. 

Justin Turner won’t have his No. 10 retired by the Dodgers, but he’s one of the most impactful players in the history of the franchise

Leads the club in nearly every postseason category and delivered a number of iconic postseason moments

He even has his own day in LA (Jan. 22) pic.twitter.com/OMeQbyGUlp

— Blake Harris (@BlakeHarrisTBLA) December 18, 2022

Turner had hoped to finish his career in Los Angeles, but when they signed Martinez earlier this weekend, the writing was on the wall, and Turner pivoted. He'll have some big shoes to fill in the Boston lineup, where they'll be without not only Martinez, but also another of their longtime middle-of-the-order bats, Xander Bogaerts. 

Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports