Suddenly in need of an infielder, the Mets and Justin Turner are talking about a reunion
Justin Turner could help solve depth problems at multiple infield positions for the Mets
What’s Up with the Mets? 🍎
The Mets and Justin Turner are engaged in contract talks (New York Post)
Why Justin Turner make sense for the Mets right now ✍️
Things changed just a smidge for the Mets this week when they lost Ronny Mauricio to a torn ACL in his knee.
If you recall, earlier in the off-season (and perhaps just two weeks ago at the winter meetings), Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns made it pretty clear that the club wanted to let Mauricio, Mark Vientos and Brett Baty hash it out at third base and afford them an opportunity to play at the big league level with hopes that at least one of them emerges as a solid everyday option.
But in baseball, even when they’re not playing, things can flip on a dime.
Such is the case this week, as now the Mets are not only down one of those options at third base, but with Mauricio now probably lost for the year, they’re down depth at second base and potentially at shortstop as well, even with Joey Wendle in the fold as a middle infield utility player.
What's more, the loss of Mauricio now impacts the club’s outfield depth, as it makes it more difficult to use Jeff McNeil in a corner outfield spot without compromising themselves on the infield.
So, this is why, as Linda Surovich wrote earlier this week, Justin Turner would make a ton of sense for the Mets, and probably why the Mets are reportedly talking to him about coming back to the club, according to the New York Post.
Turner, 39, just opted out of his contract with the Red Sox after putting together a strong season at the plate with Boston, hitting .276/.345/.455 with 31 doubles, 23 home runs and 96 RBI with a 114 OPS+.
So, yeah Turner can still hit.
He also stayed healthy in 2023 and has averaged 142 games played in each of the last three seasons. That can often serve as the kiss of the death around here, but it’s at least something the Mets can hope continues.
Turner’s defense is a question mark at this point in his career, but that’s ok - the Mets don’t necessarily need a defensive marvel to solve this new problem which has emerged on the infield. Turner can move around the infield between first, second and third. Again, Turner may not go out there and win a gold glove, but he isn’t going to kill them out there either and his ability to shift around can afford opportunities for Pete Alonso to get some rest, get Jeff McNeil some time off and in the outfield, and the obvious insurance policy at third with both Mark Vientos and Brett Baty still trying to establish themselves at this level.
He can also serve as a designated hitter for the Mets along with whoever else they acquire in free agency to fill that hole, and Turner may allow the Mets to find a left-handed solution for that roster spot as well.
There’s probably 130 games worth of at-bats for him at three different infield positions and DH if Turner stays healthy.
Turner can also be had presumably on a short-term deal, and such a solution wouldn’t preclude the Mets from pursuing their other need in the outfield, either. It can be argued the Mets should’ve been in the market for someone like Turner anyway, regardless of what happened to Mauricio last weekend.
Besides, Turner is a good guy, good to have around in the clubhouse, and homecomings are nice, feel-good stories for teams, especially when it centers around quality individuals, such as Turner.
Now, some are arguing, “No! Let the kids play!” To an extent, I agree and I don’t think Turner potentially being brought in would be a dealbreaker for that.
But the Mets need an insurance policy against Baty and Vientos specifically.
To be fair, Baty hasn’t exactly distinguished himself on either side of the ball, and there are a lot of red flags at this point in his development. That’s not to say another year and the right messaging won’t allow him to evolve into the player he’s expected to be, but in the end the Mets can’t really roll with another year like the one Baty just put together. He should be given time of course, but the leash has to be short.
As for Vientos, the Mets still don’t really know where he will land on the infield, but for the time being it won’t be at first base unless Alonso gets hurt, and while he continues to work at third, his defense there is the most suspect of all.
I think it’s great both Vientos and Baty have spent time with Francisco Lindor in Puerto Rico working on all of this, but again, it remains to be seen if that work will lead to a tangible improvement on the field.
Also - both have to hit here. Vientos showed unquestionable signs of an awakening at the plate down the stretch of the 2023 season, but Baty’s bat at this point simply has not, despite small flashes. Again, it doesn’t mean both won’t eventually be an everyday bat but honestly, Vientos has probably shown more in a shorter time than Baty.
So, why not at least have an insurance policy, if not a potential everyday alternative at third?
Turner is a lifetime .270/.346/.534 hitter against the Mets with 10 home runs and 28 RBI in 48 games. The 10 home runs are the most against any non-NL West opponent.
Naturally, of course.
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