Landing Red Sox Slugger Reportedly Top Of NL Contender's 'Wish List' In Free Agency

It sounds like a contender is looking into landing a former Red Sox fan-favorite in free agency

One Boston Red Sox fan-favorite may not return to the club this offseason.

Boston signed slugger Justin Turner to a two-year contract ahead of the 2023 season with an opt-out clause ahead of the 2024 campaign. Turner exercised the opt-out and now will be a free agent again. There is mutual interest in a return between Turner and the Red Sox, but he may end up signing elsewhere, too. One club that reportedly will look to land Turner is the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to USA Today Sports' Bob Nightengale. 

"The Arizona Diamondbacks, who desperately want a third baseman, plan to pursue free agent Justin Turner, who exercised his opt-out with the Boston Red Sox," Nightengale said. "He is atop their wish list."

Turner was one of the Red Sox's best players in 2023. He finished the season with 23 home runs, a career-high 96 RBIs, and an impressive .276/.345/.455 slash line. Plus, he immediately became a leader in the clubhouse and a fan favorite across Boston. He will be looking to land a more lucrative, multi-year deal this offseason but he will turn 39 years old before the 2024 season kicks off. 

Arizona makes sense as a landing spot because after falling short in the World Series against the Texas Rangers, it's clear it isn't far away. Landing someone like Turner could be the perfect move to help take the Diamondbacks and put them over the top. 

Turner will help whichever team he lands with in a major way. If the Red Sox can't land someone like Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani, it would make sense to bring Turner back. If Boston can't, it sounds like Turner will have a solid market.

More MLB: Veteran Pitcher Reportedly 'Unlikely To Return' To Red Sox After Disastrous Season