Did Justin Turner say no to New York Yankees at start of his MLB career? Exploring Boston Red Sox 3B's career in major leagues

By Pablo Ricalde

Modified Mar 07, 2023 04:08 GMT

Los Angeles Dodgers v San Francisco Giants — Did Justin Turner say no to the Yankees early in his career?

Justin Turner, the newly signed 3B for the Boston Red Sox, has been playing Major League Baseball since 2009.

He has played for many teams, including the Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, and most recently the Boston Red Sox. Turner is known for his versatile infield play, clutch hitting and leadership abilities.

While Turner has been linked with the New York Yankees in free agency, there's no evidence that he turned down an offer from the team early in his career. In fact, Turner did not become a free agent until after the 2013 season, when he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Therefore, it's unlikely that he had any discussions with the Yankees before that.

Justin Turner’s MLB career

Turner was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the seventh round of the 2006 MLB draft.

He spent several seasons in the minor leagues before making his Major League debut with the Orioles in 2009. Turner played 12 games for the Orioles that season before being traded to the Mets in 2010.

Turner spent four seasons with the Mets, playing primarily as a utility infielder. He was known for his ability to play multiple positions and his solid defense. Turner was also a consistent hitter during his time with the Mets, batting .265 with eight home runs and 93 RBIs in 322 games.

After becoming a free agent following the 2013 season, Turner signed a minor league contract with the Dodgers in February 2014. He made the team out of spring training and quickly established himself as a key contributor. In his first season with the Dodgers, Turner batted .340 with seven home runs and 43 RBIs in 109 games. He also played solid defense at third base and earned a reputation as a clutch hitter.

Turner's performance in 2014 earned him a starting job with the Dodgers in 2015, and he was a fixture on the team until his trade to the Red Sox. He continued to be a consistent hitter, batting .299 with 156 home runs and 574 RBIs in 1075 games. Turner was also a leader in the clubhouse and a fan favorite in Los Angeles. So far with the Red Sox, Justin Turner has had 12 at bats, with three hits, one RBI and four runs scored, for a batting average of .250.

Overall, Turner has had a successful career in the Major Leagues, playing for several teams and establishing himself as a reliable infielder and consistent hitter. While there is no record of him turning down an offer from the Yankees early in his career, he has become a key player for the Dodgers and a leader in the league.