2 Blue Jays players who've earned more playing time, 1 who deserves less

Justin Turner is off to a great start and should be in this lineup frequently.

Justin Turner is proving everyone right about his veteran leadership and talents. On the doorstep of 40-years old, Turner had a solid showing for the Boston Red Sox in 2023 and is carrying that over to the new season. In 146 games with Boston last year, Turner posted a slash line of .276/ 345/.455 with 23 home runs and 96 runs batted in. The Californian got off to a (slowish?) start and came off the bench in the Blue Jays' 5-1 loss in the third game of the season, failing to reach base in two plate appearances.

All that early season angst was arrested in relatively short order, however, when Turner carried the team on his shoulders in the finale in St. Petersburg, FL. Smacking his first Jays home run and driving in four runs, Turner harkened back to his long ball prowess of last season.

What may be even more understated is his ability to get on base as evidenced by his crucial walk against fireballer Josh Hader in the ninth inning to set up the go-ahead two-run home run from Davis Schneider. Turner only walked in 8.2% of his plate appearances a season ago, still right in line with the MLB average. If Turner can add that to his offensive repertoire, it shows the depth of skills Turner can bring to this lineup, with a keen sense of knowing the situation and doing his job. In that game, he doubled twice and singled in a really strong effort.

The broadcast has alluded to this numerous times and it bears repeating. Justin Turner is a player who has been in the league 16 years and seen almost everything one can see on a baseball diamond. For a player with that much experience still getting it done on the field, his message may carry more weight than anything from the coaching staff. At this rate, the one-year free agent deal is looking like a steal for a much-maligned front office.

True to form, Turner has already logged three starts at designated hitter even with the one start at third base in the finale of the Rays series. He should continue logging most of his playing time at the DH spot, with an occasional start in the infield. He may have committed a throwing error in that game, but who's counting?