3 Veterans the Red Sox Should Keep at the Trade Deadline
By Tyler Maher
3. Justin Turner
Turner has been the ideal free-agent pickup. Not only has he performed on the field (16 homers, 64 RBIs, .836 OPS), but he’s also been an exemplary teammate and leader off the field.
Boston’s in a bit of a tricky spot with Turner, who holds a $13.4 million player option for 2024. There’s a pretty good chance he declines that based on how well he’s hit this year, barring a major slump or injury down the stretch.
Still, that doesn’t mean the Red Sox should move on from him. His steady bat and presence will be vital for a postseason push, especially for some of his younger teammates who’ve never played in a pennant race before. His positive effect on young players should not be ignored, and neither should his extensive playoff experience, for that matter.
Boston’s clubhouse was devastated by the trade of Vazquez last summer, and dealing Turner would have a similar effect. Let’s not make the same mistake twice.
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