Dodgers Sign J.D. Martinez—Justin Turner Goes to Red Sox

Dodgers Sign J.D. Martinez—Justin Turner Goes to Red Sox
J.D. Martinez (28) of the Boston Red Sox reacts after hitting a two-run home run in the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park, in Boston on Sept. 29, 2022. Kathryn Riley/Getty Images
Field Level Media
Updated:

Outfielder J.D. Martinez and the Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to a one-year deal, multiple media outlets reported Saturday night, Dec. 17.

ESPN and MLB Network reported the deal to be worth $10 million.

Martinez, 35, hit .274 with 16 home runs and 62 RBIs last season in 139 games for the Red Sox. He spent five seasons in Boston, being named an All-Star in four of them while also helping them win the 2018 World Series.

Martinez’s 16 homers marked his fewest in a 162-game season since 2013, when he hit seven with the Houston Astros.

The Red Sox used Martinez purely as a designated hitter last season after he started 35 games in the outfield back in 2021.

In addition to Boston and Houston, Martinez also spent time with the Detroit Tigers and Arizona Diamondbacks.

In 1,409 career games across 12 major league seasons, Martinez holds a .288 batting average with 282 homers and 899 RBIs to go along with 1,522 hits.  Overall, he’s a five-time All-Star.

Martinez joins former Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts in Los Angeles.

Red Sox Sign INF/DH Justin Turner to 2-year Deal

Veteran infielder and designated hitter Justin Turner agreed to a two-year deal with the Boston Red Sox on Sunday, according to multiple reports.
Justin Turner of the Los Angeles Dodgers speaks to the media after being announced as the winner of the 2022 Roberto Clemente Award prior to Game Three of the 2022 World Series at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, on Oct. 31, 2022. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Justin Turner of the Los Angeles Dodgers speaks to the media after being announced as the winner of the 2022 Roberto Clemente Award prior to Game Three of the 2022 World Series at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, on Oct. 31, 2022. Sarah Stier/Getty Images

The deal, which is reportedly worth about $22 million, has not been confirmed by the club.

The Los Angeles Dodgers had a $16 million club option for Turner for the 2023 season but declined it and paid him a $2 million buyout.

With Rafael Devers entrenched at third base, Turner, 38, will likely serve as the Red Sox’s designated hitter and replace J.D. Martinez, who signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers earlier this week.

A two-time All-Star, Turner hit .278 with 13 home runs and 81 RBIs in 128 games in 2022. Over nine seasons with the Dodgers, Turner hit .296 with 156 homers and 574 RBIs and was an integral part of their 2020 World Series championship. He hit .320 in the Fall Classic that year.
Turner has batted .289 with 164 homers and 663 RBIs in 14 seasons with the Baltimore Orioles (2009-10), New York Mets (2010-13) and Dodgers (2014-22).