The Seattle Mariners have traded for designated hitter and corner infielder Justin Turner from the Toronto Blue Jays, according to multiple reports. Turner is currently in his 16th MLB season, and Seattle will be the sixth club he has played for. This is already the second trade the two organizations have completed in the last week, with reliever Yimi García joining the Mariners on Friday. The Turner deal is the fifth trade the Mariners have been involved with in the past four days, including the acquisition of outfielder Randy Arozarena from the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Seattle Mariners are acquiring veteran Justin Turner from the Toronto Blue Jays, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 29, 2024
Blue Jays Trade Two-Time All-Star Justin Turner to Mariners
Turner joined Toronto on a 1-year, $13 million deal before the 2024 season began. The 39-year-old has been solid, batting .254 with a .720 OPS and six home runs. Turner is on as of late, batting .583 with a 1.407 OPS in his last seven contests. In the last month, the California native is slashing .314/.423/.422. He’s appeared in 89 games this campaign, a positive sign of the durability of the veteran. Turner has struggled away from Toronto this season, though, batting just .201 with a .595 OPS in 44 road appearances.
Justin Turner drives in Vladdy to give the Blue Jays back the lead!
: Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/FVbIukMNSF
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 11, 2024
Turner returns to the West Coast after spending nine years with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2014-2022. He left L.A. to join the Boston Red Sox last season, batting .276 in 146 matchups. Turner began his career with the Baltimore Orioles before spending four seasons on the New York Mets. He has posted an OPS+ of 100 or higher in 12 consecutive campaigns. Despite now being on his third organization in as many years, it is just the second time Turner has moved clubs midseason. The veteran joined the Mets in the midst of the 2010 campaign.
The Blue Jays are heavily struggling in 2024, making the move an easy one. Toronto currently sits at the bottom of the American League East with a 49-56 record. The club has been open to shopping some of its marquee talent this season, and more moves are expected from the Canadian team. Turner ranked fourth on the Blue Jays in average, third in OPS, and fifth in total games played. In return for the 39-year-old, the Blue Jays are reportedly receiving outfield prospect RJ Schreck, according to Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi and Ben Nicholson-Smith.
Blue Jays acquiring OF RJ Schreck source tells @ShiDavidi & me.
24-year-old was taken in 9th round out of Vanderbilt last year. Was just promoted to AA. Hitting .250/.392/.444 in A+/AA this year with 12 HR in minors.
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) July 29, 2024
Photo Credit: © Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
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