Turner expected to bring savvy leadership to Jays' lineup
Getting his work in at the batting cage at the Toronto Blue Jays player development complex certainly provided an elite welcome wagon for Justin Turner. He was hitting in a group with stars Vlad Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette.
“I'm excited to be a part of that lineup and hopefully help these guys continue to grow and continue to improve and be here for them to lean on if they need anything,” said a relaxed Turner, who signed a one-year free agent deal at the end of January.
Many of those interactions take place in the clubhouse, but also spill out to the batting cage where so much time is spent during a baseball season.
As the advance billing suggested, Guerrero was getting rave reviews for his new look, a trimmer version of the first baseman than we've seen since the 2021 version. It was a solid first impression not lost on Turner.
“Getting to come up here to see him hit, it's going to be nice to be around him every single day,” Turner said of MLB's reigning home run derby champ. “To see what makes him tick and see why he's such a great player like he is ... an unbelievable talent.”
After spending most of his career in the National League, Turner said that during his 2023 season with the Boston Red Sox, he quickly got up to speed with what was happening in Toronto.
“I had some guys during the season last year say that I would come over here,” Turner said, adding that he was made aware of radio comments made by Bichette suggesting his team chase the veteran.
As such, Turner will be leaned on to do a number of things with his new team — from leadership, ideally to provide some power at the plate and ultimately to stir that magic elixir that might lead to post-season success.
“I think this is a really good baseball team already,” Turner said “And I don't think there's a magic pill that you can take (to win in the playoffs). I was with the Dodgers for nine years and we made the playoffs for nine years and we won one World Series. So I guess if I had all the answers, we probably would have been more successful.
“It's just about showing up every day, putting it all together, 26 guys.”
With much to be sorted out through the Grapefruit League schedule, Turner will get plenty of work, including action at first and third base (in that order, according to manager John Schneider) to see where he fits in the infield.
“He's kind of as advertised,” Schneider said of the impression Turner has made thus far.
“First and foremost what he brings is production at the plate. After that, his experience both regular season and post-season is a big add for our guys. And he loves talking hitting.”
He'll also bring a leadership presence and a voice that should command some respect, given his prodigious accomplishments with the Dodgers.
“Hitting is hitting and baseball is baseball,” Schneider said when asked how Turner's influence will manifest. “For a guy who has been around as long as he has, that just naturally comes out. He's got a good feel and he's not going to stomp around and say `listen to me.' His overall game gives him a ton of credibility. He's fitting in really well so far.”
Meanwhile, the much anticipated return of Guerrero was a popular one, the first up-close evidence of his off-season workouts and retooled physique.
Guerrero has been his usual energetic self, engaging with teammates and clearly anxious to get to work on what stacks up as a big season for him and the team.
“It's Vladdy wanting to be great like other guys,” Schneider said. “You watch them grow up and watch the ups and downs a little bit and then they are ready to take hold of what's in front of them. He looks great. He's put in a ton of work. I love the way he has prepared. It's what really good players do.”
AROUND THE BASES
Heading into Tuesday's first official full-squad workout, Schneider reported there are no injury issues among the assembled group ... Cuban free agent signee Yariel Rodriguez threw his first official bullpen with the team on Monday and met the Toronto media for the first time. Most notable, he made it clear his long-game goal is to be a starter with the team.