Dissecting Mets' Interest in Justin Turner

As Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic noted on Tuesday afternoon, the New York Mets continue to show interest in free-agent third baseman Justin Turner.

Turner, 36, finished his seven-year tenure in Los Angeles after pulling a complete one-eighty on his career, culminating with a World Series title last season.

After being non-tendered by the Mets following the 2013 season, Turner retooled his swing with hitting guru Doug Matta and rode that to a .302/.382/.503 batting line with 116 homers, 141 wRC+, and a sub-15% strikeout rate (14.6) during his time in Dodger blue (2014 to 2020).

Turner’s performance in the postseason (.295/.392/.507, 12 homers in 72 games; Los Angeles has won eight consecutive NL West titles, so he’s got quite a bit of experience) only adds to his appeal as an upper-crust reinforcement at third base if the Mets choose to go that route.

Per Rosenthal, Turner and the Mets aren’t “matching up on dollars [and] years”, and New York is concerned with what the team’s presumable 2021 third baseman, J.D. Davis, might fetch in a potential spot-opening trade.

Turner’s been a fine third baseman (+7 OAA at 3B, 2017; -4 OAA, 2018; +4 OAA, 2019; -2 OAA, 2020), though arguably a bit inconsistent.

Davis hasn’t been great at third (-2 OAA since 2019), but his bat certainly needs, at the very least, a part-time position in the Mets’ lineup. And the hot corner projects to be a much safer place to hide him defensively than in left field (-9 OAA since 2019).

You know, if the National League had the designated hitter this season…

Behind Davis, the Mets have interchangeable parts in Jeff McNeil and Luis Guillorme to plug into virtually any infield position outside of first base (though, I wouldn’t put it past either if we’re being honest).

Both McNeil and Guillorme are high-contact, low-strikeout guys at the plate and both are well-skilled in the art of glovework. Either could start at third base for this team, in a pinch or every day. I’m sure of that.

With the offensive depth this roster employs, their focus on defense can’t fall by the wayside. With Davis at third, a liability is exposed, no matter how minor it may be.

If Turner, McNeil, Guillorme, or even Eugenio Suarez (I’d be shopping Davis and prospects to Cincinnati for him if it were my call; I’ll toss in Ronny Mauricio for Sonny Gray, while we’re at it) are taking reps at third, both sides of the chalk are accounted for.

Tough decisions ahead.