A clutch postseason player, clubhouse leader and positive force in the community, Turner leaves the Dodgers as a free agent after nine seasons.
“Everything kind of in my life I feel like it has really taken off since the day I put the Dodger uniform on,” Turner said in October upon receiving the Clemente award.
Having rebuilt his swing, Turner blossomed in Dodger blue, becoming the every-day third baseman and a two-time All-Star in nine seasons with the Dodgers. But Turner’s greatest impact came as a clubhouse leader — and a clutch performer in the postseason. He leaves Los Angeles as the franchise record holder in postseason home runs, hits, doubles, total bases, runs, RBI and walks.
But the Dodgers declined the club option in Turner’s contract this offseason, unwilling to pay him $16 million at age 38. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said it was “a priority” to keep Turner with the team, but finding at-bats for top prospect Miguel Vargas next season was clearly a higher priority. With Turner gone, those at-bats will likely come primarily at third base, with Max Muncy spending more time at second base and Martinez anchored at DH.
In Boston, Turner reunites with former Dodger teammates Kenley Jansen, Kiké Hernandez, Alex Verdugo and Chris Martin.
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