Veteran First Baseman Frustrated Over Recent Exclusion from Insider Report…
The Major League Baseball offseason has been buzzing with excitement as numerous free agents have found new homes, keeping fans on their toes.
One of the most notable moves was the New York Mets signing top free agent Juan Soto. This sparked a wave of activity, with several players securing deals soon after.
Over the weekend, four first basemen joined new teams, including Christian Walker signing with the Houston Astros, Paul Goldschmidt heading to the New York Yankees, and Josh Naylor joining the Arizona Diamondbacks.
MLB analyst Jeff Passan highlighted these transactions on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) and provided a rundown of first basemen still available on the market. However, Seattle Mariners free agent Justin Turner was notably absent from the list—a point that did not go unnoticed by the veteran.
Turner, 40, expressed his frustration by responding directly to Passan’s post. While it’s unclear whether his omission was an oversight or a deliberate decision, the exclusion certainly raised eyebrows.
Turner’s 2024 season was split between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Mariners, during which he played in 139 games. He posted a .259 batting average, with 11 home runs, 55 RBIs, and a .737 OPS, showcasing his continued ability to contribute at the plate.
Despite his age, Turner has stated his intention to play in the 2025 season. The incident highlights the ongoing debate over how much weight should be given to veteran players like Turner in discussions about free agents.
It remains to be seen where Turner will land and how he’ll perform in what could be a pivotal age-40 season.