Justin Turner, a World Series champion, veteran hitter, and voice for nearly a decade on those deep and accomplished Los Angeles Dodgers teams, arrived at his newest MLB stop with a well-deserved reputation.
Turner has been a hit almost since the first day of camp – and we mean that literally. He was a frequent presence at the batting cages, where he could be found hitting, watching others hit, and discussing hitting with anyone having an opinion on the subject.
It’s been exactly the type of presence Jays GM Ross Atkins was hoping for.
“I think it’s the same for everyone,” Turner said, offering a ‘no big deal’ answer to his impact on a club aiming to improve at the bat. “You spend time together, ask each other questions, and discuss different ideas, mentalities, and approaches. That is not only something that happens during spring training. It is something that happens all year round.
“I love being around the cage and talking about hitting and talking about different thoughts.”
Even if his reputation as a hitter’s hitter preceded him, Turner was wise enough not to press the issue. Conversations flowed naturally, and he quickly established himself as a trusted voice in the clubhouse and cage.
“I don’t like to go to guys and approach them, I just like to be around and, if they have questions, be available and give my opinion,” Turner went on to say. “It’s not always right, but hitting is a very intricate thing and sometimes you just have to change your thoughts and feels to get yourself in the right position.”
As the spring has developed, Turner has gotten deep into hitting convo with George Springer, who he often drove with to Grapefruit League games away from Dunedin and with just about anyone else who has a bat in their hand and a willingness to discuss the nuances of the craft.
“We have similar thoughts, but different at the same time,” shortstop Bo Bichette said. “He speaks my language for the most part and I’ve asked his opinion on a few things.
“He’s been great. He’s a calm presence and a professional who goes about it the right way. He’s very convicted in what he does, obviously.”
That presence of Turner in manager John Schneider’s order is certainly an intriguing one for a team saddled with a consensus that it didn’t do much to improve its ability to score runs in the off-season. Signing a 39-year-old veteran — as accomplished as Turner is — to primarily serve as a DH wasn’t exactly the ticket many fans were expecting.
Turner, on the other hand, will open the 2024 season on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field, hitting cleanup and hoping to be a significant bat in a crucial situation. Turner’s well-earned reputation comes with expectations, which he appears to be willing to meet.
They’re happy, and I’m fine. George (Springer) has been an on-base machine, and Bo (Bichette) and Vladdy (Guerrero Jr.) are extremely gifted and capable of achieving big things.
“There is always a lot of traffic out there.” It’s more enjoyable to take at bats with those people in scoring position.”
In an ideal scenario, Turner would provide leadership in two ways: as a powerful and productive presence in a critical position in the lineup, and as a leader in the clubhouse and dugout. So far, he has had a significant presence in the latter area.
“Credit to Justin Turner — he sits in the cage and watches guys and talks,” said Springer, who no doubt feels relieved that some of the heat is off him.
