After no MLB team wanted Justin Turner this offseason, the 41-year-old free agent signed with the Toros de Tijuana in the Mexican League. In a recent article by The Athletic, Turner said the decision to sign with a team outside of MLB was made so he could keep playing baseball for as long as possible.
“I’ve always said I’m going to play as long as I can and make someone rip a jersey off me,” Turner said to The Athletic. “I love playing, I love being around guys, love being around the cage. I still feel really good in the box. On top of that, my family, my wife loves the games and loves coming to games. So I mean, baseball is not going anywhere, and whatever it is that I’ll do when I’m done playing isn’t going anywhere.”
Turner signed with the Toros de Tijuana in April. He announced the news on social media and shared a message in both English and Spanish to fans.
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Most recently, Turner played one season with the Chicago Cubs before entering free agency in the offseason. In 2024, he played with the Toronto Blue Jays then was traded at the deadline to the Seattle Mariners.
Turner’s longest stint with a team was when he played nine seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2014-22. He became a two-time National League All-Star, a NL Championship Series Most Valuable Player in 2017 and a World Series champion in 2020.
Sep 11, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner (10) rounds the bases after hitting a grand slam home run against the San Diego Padres during the seventh inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-Imagn Images
The Dodgers did not re-sign Turner in 2022, so he went on to sign with the Boston Red Sox for one season.
Turner Prefers Playing Over Broadcasting and Managing
With 17 seasons of MLB experience and a World Series championship on his resume, Turner could become a broadcaster or manager after retiring. Although Turner has not completely shut down the idea of transitioning into a different career within baseball, he says he would prefer to play.
“What else am I gonna do? Golf? Sit in a booth and talk about other players? I’d much rather be swinging the bat than talk about people swinging the bat,” Turner said. “You only have one opportunity and one window to play this game. Once you say you’re done, very, very, very few people come back and pick it up again. So I’m gonna go as long as I can and as long as I enjoy it.”
Photo Credit: Orlando Ramirez-Imagn Images
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