Because Turner is 39, my guess is that he wants a two-year deal, his defensive skills have diminished and is probably unable to match the same production numbers that he reached last year.
I just don't think people understand that as of right now Bobby Dalbec is getting 250 at bats. People get hurt. Back ups play.
I'm not sure who I'd sign, TBH probably no one at this point. The market has shrunk and they probably should have signed/traded for someone to take Turner's spot weeks ago.
I like Turner - easy guy to root for. Whether he makes sense I don't know. Duvall has battled injuries as well. Part of me wants to go with Duran/Abreau and see what we have. But that lineup is not as good enough. Maybe they score as many runs as last year (Grissom+Story) but it doesn't feel like they will be better.
His 2021, 2022, and 2023 seasons were basically identical. I don't see how he would think he's in a better bargaining position now than he was last year.
Yoshida's a DH, but if you need to play him in the field it's going to be in the outfield. Other than Rafaela, every other OF on the roster is strictly an OF (RFsnyder in a pinch I guess) so it is getting a bit crowded out there. As mentioned, there are options with some of these guys and always the possibility of a trade. I think the only givens at this point are Yoshida and O'Neill both for reasons that you mentioned and I still think Breslow deals one of the others to augment a trade.
I would not tie myself to an aging and more expensive Turner when I have a guy in house with these stats -
1. You are misundersstanding the tOPS+ column on baseball ref. His 129 OPS+ is relative to his left/right side, not to the league. In other words, an .855 OPS ≠ 129 OPS+ (although back of envelope calculations tell me it might not be far off, maybe closer to 120-125).
I still don't dislike the Dalbec usage. We know what he is, but he has a career 129 OPS+ (even with his bad K rate) vs LHPs, so for that minimal role, the fact that he hits for power makes him useful at a low cost.
Dalbec may not be good, but he has options and is an actual major league player. As long as he has options, he's valuable as 40-man depth. As soon as he is out of options — likely at the end of this season — the sand is almost out of that particular hour glass.
We also missed the leadership of Xander last year. I’m sure the Padres were glad it pulled them through.
Turner as another assistant hitting coach is definitely A Thing, though, not unlike JD Martinez.
Sure, but we are talking about a platoon player, someone you can sit 4-5 days a week without a second thought. He can field a few spots in a pinch. Totally disposable if a better player comes along, but I'm not against it.
I guess. I'm never totally sure what to make of this stuff. They know the fans love to hear this about older players. Can't hurt though.
I’m not advocating that they bring on turner so his leadership helps them win next year. This team is rebuilding - I think he’s a guy you want young guys to learn from for the long-term benefit of the team
This sounds like a lot but the folks at Lookout Landing have a good case for why it's a great deal for the Mariners.
The thing is the OF needs a platoon player (Verdugo through last year, Abreu this year if he's starting). Casas and Devers both hit LHP just fine so Dalbec is really just limiting when it's best to rest them.
Eh, they gave up full control of multiple promising prospects for one year of an adequate second baseman, seems like a lot to me.
If Redsox Payrolls is right (201) instead of Cots 191 then the Sox have $24 million left to spend as much as they did in 2023. That means if $225 is a hard cap (no reason it should be) there isn't room for Duvall + Montgomery. Probably means Lorenzen or Ryu (I don't want Clevinger).
And by elsewhere you mean not on the Red Sox? There is no indications that anyone significant is going to be added to this roster before spring training begins.
Something has happened. We don't know what but there is no question something has changed. When you see good players, who fill roster needs, signing 1 year deals its fair to wonder what's going on.
They were very explicit about wanting to add a versatile RH bat who could play multiple positions. Any sense of who that could be?
