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2 Upcoming Free Agents the Red Sox Need to Let Walk, 2 They Need to Keep

By Devon Platana

BOSTON, MA - MAY 14: Corey Kluber #28 of the Boston Red Sox walks to the dugout during the fifth inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals on May 14, 2023 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 14: Corey Kluber #28 of the Boston Red Sox walks to the dugout during the fifth inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals on May 14, 2023 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /
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2 Red Sox Free Agents Who Must Be Kept

Justin Turner, DH/IF

While some free-agent additions like Kluber don’t always work out, that wasn’t the case for Justin Turner.

The 2017 NLCS MVP has been one of Boston’s best players all year. As of Sept. 15, Turner is tied for the team lead with 94 RBIs and ranks highly in doubles (28, No. 5), home runs (23, No. 3), and walks (49, No. 3) while slashing .283/.354/.473 across 133 games.

If it weren’t for him, the season would’ve gone a lot worse.

What’s interesting about Turner is that he has a $13.4 million player option for 2024. While that’s a lot of money, there’s always a chance that he thinks he deserves more after his career year and winds up declining it, leaving Boston without an elite designated hitter.

If that does happen, the Red Sox must do everything in their power to keep Turner. Losing him would set the franchise back even if the 38-year-old only has a few more seasons left in the tank.

I can’t see Boston undergoing a full rebuild due to how passionate the fanbase is. It’s more likely that the team will re-tool over the winter, and finding a way to keep Turner in town would help keep the Red Sox competitive next year and beyond.

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