Former Dodgers Fan Favorite Justin Turner Declines Option, Should LA Bring Him Back?

He's hitting the open market for the second straight year.

Justin Turner is hitting free agency for the second straight season. The former Dodger and now likely former Boston Red Sox infielder declined his $13 million club option, and is heading back to the open market.

The #RedSox today declined RHP Corey Kluber’s 2024 club option.

Justin Turner today declined his 2024 player option.

— Red Sox (@RedSox) November 3, 2023

Turner enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career in his first year in Boston, hitting .276 with 23 home runs, a career-high 96 runs batted in and an OPS of .800.

He was mainly a designated hitter, but also played 41 games at first base and split some time across third base and second base, as well.

Turner is turning 39 in a few weeks, but clearly feels that he can make more than $13 million on the open market. So, he's heading back to free agency, potentially looking for a new home for the second time in two years.

Would the Dodgers Bring Justin Turner Back?

On Thursday, the Dodgers signed Max Muncy to a two-year extension with a club option for the 2026 season. If they aren't able to land Shohei Ohtani or retain J.D. Martinez, Muncy would slide into the close-to-full-time DH role.

If they do sign Ohtani or Martinez, though, Muncy would likely have to play third base since first base is locked up by Freddie Freeman and they moved him off second base with the banning of the shift.

That wouldn't leave much room for Turner, who's definitely more of a DH at this point in his career.

While it's always fun to think about reunions, it feels very unlikely JT is back with the Dodgers next season. If we ever see Turner back in Dodger blue, it will likely be as one of the coaches at this point — but it will be exciting to see where he lands for his potential third team in three seasons.

Where do you think JT is going this offseason?