Mariners continue to upgrade roster with addition of Justin Turner

Justin Turner provides another strong bat for Seattle Mariners, but is it enough to help the lineup produce on a more consistent basis?

Following on from the positive additions of Randy Arozarena and Yimi García, the Seattle Mariners made another encouraging move on Monday. As confirmed by Executive Vice President and General Manager of Baseball Operations Justin Hollander, Justin Turner has been acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Mariners also received cash considerations from the Blue Jays, who in return obtained minor league outfielder RJ Schreck. Speaking about the trade for Turner specifically, Hollander said:

“Justin has been one of the most productive corner infield bats in the league for over a decade. With his track record at the plate and extensive experience in the postseason, he is a valuable addition to both our lineup and clubhouse.”

For the seasons, the two-time All-Star has a .257 batting average and .724 OPS. However, these stats have been even better of late, at .310 and .823 respectively since June 4.

Still some life left in the wily veteran

Interestingly for a player considered to be on the downside of his career, Turner just last season hit a career-high 96 RBI. In addition, his 23 homers were the second-highest total of his time in the Majors.

Now understandably, people will point at the 39-year-old’s totals of just six home runs and 31 RBI so far in 2024. However, he still represents an upgrade for a Mariners offense which has struggled immensely this year.

In respect of financial compensation, the Mariners will pay the remainder of the one-year, $13 million deal Turner signed with the Blue Jays ahead of this season. Although it should be noted the projected $4.3 million remaining, might turn out to be less, when taking into account the cash considerations Seattle received from Toronto.

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Mariners will lean on Turner’s big game experience

In any event, the Mariners will be hoping the 2006 seventh round draft pick proves to be a success in his likely short tenure with the ball club. He at least knows what it takes to perform in big moments, having been named co-NLCS MVP in 2017 and later winning the World Series in 2020, as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In terms of where Turner will play for the Mariners, the majority of his 90 appearances with the Blue Jays this year have come at DH. If need be though, he has also made 12 starts at first base and another four at third base.

For his Major League career as a whole, the Long Beach, California native has produced a .286/.363/.460 slash line and .823 OPS in 1,629 games. He has hit 193 home runs and 790 RBI, while also manufacturing 552 walks.

Other moves

• The Mariners traded reliever Ryne Stanek to the New York Mets, in exchange for minor league outfielder Rhylan Thomas.
• Infielder Ty France and cash considerations were traded to the Cincinnati Reds, in return for minor league catcher Andruw Salcedo.
• Right-hander Chris Devenski has been sent outright to Triple-A Tacoma, after previously being signed at the start of July following his release from the Tampa Bay Rays.
• As per The Athletic‘s Ken Rosenthal, the Mariners have acquired right-handed reliever JT Chargois from the Miami Marlins, in exchange for pitching prospect Will Schomberg.

What’s your opinion of the addition of Turner? How much does he help the Mariners lineup? How do you view the organisation’s trade deadline approach as a whole? Let us know in the comments section below.