Boston Red Sox Sign All-Star Third Baseman Justin Turner to Boost Lineup
- World Soccer Today -
the Boston Red Sox made a big splash by signing veteran third baseman Justin Turner to a two-year, $34 million contract. This move fills a major hole in the Red Sox lineup, as the team had been in need of a reliable third baseman since the departure of Pablo Sandoval.
Turner, who spent the last seven seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, is a three-time All-Star and a key piece of the Dodgers' success over the past few years. He is a career .290 hitter with a .365 on-base percentage, and has consistently ranked among the league leaders in offensive metrics such as on-base plus slugging (OPS) and weighted runs created (wRC+).
In addition to his offensive production, Turner is also known for his strong defense at the hot corner. He has won two Gold Glove awards and has consistently ranked among the league leaders in defensive metrics such as ultimate zone rating (UZR) and defensive runs saved (DRS).
The Red Sox are hoping that Turner will bring some much-needed stability to their lineup, as they struggled offensively in 2020. The team finished the shortened season ranked 22nd in runs scored and 23rd in OPS, and they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2015.
While the Red Sox have made a number of moves this offseason to address their offensive woes, the addition of Turner is certainly the most significant. He will slot in as the team's everyday third baseman and provide a boost to the middle of the lineup.
Overall, the signing of Justin Turner is a smart move for the Red Sox. He is a proven producer at the plate and a top-notch defender at third base, and he should help to improve the team's fortunes in 2021.