Red Sox Leader May Have No Chance of Returning According To Boston Insider

The Boston Red Sox could have a solid amount of turnover once again this upcoming offseason.

Boston signed most of its free agents last year to one or two-year deals — with many of the multi-year contracts having some sort of option for the second season — and one of the club’s new fan favorites could be on his way out of town.

Two-time All-Star Justin Turner quickly developed into one of the biggest leaders in the clubhouse and a fan favorite but they will become a free agent once again this offseason.

Red Sox insider Sean McAdam of MassLive.com took a look at the chance of each of the club’s free agents returning to town and gave Turner just a “moderate” chance of re-signing.

“This will be the most fascinating case among the free agents currently on the roster,” McAdam said. “Turner had a superb season and ingratiated himself as a true leader off the field. But he’s 38, and almost certainly is going to command a two-year deal at somewhere between $35-$40 million. And given the need to sprinkle around some (designated hitter) at-bats to Rafael Devers, Masataka Yoshida and Triston Casas, the Sox likely can’t afford to lock him in there for the next two seasons. Chance of return: moderate.”

Turner has had a successful season, to say the least, with Boston but it may not make sense to bring him back in.

He will turn 39 years old before the 2024 season kicks off and likely will cost more than the Red Sox want to spend. Plus, although it is unlikely, if the Red Sox were to pursue superstar Shohei Ohtani they would need to have the designated hitter role open.

The Red Sox certainly made the right choice signing Turner last year but he likely will be playing elsewhere in 2024.