Ranking each of the players named in The Athletic's top 13 Blue Jays free agent fits

#8 1B/3B/DH Justin Turner

Justin Turner has been one of the more consistent hitters in the major leagues throughout his career. One can count on him to deliver 20+ home runs and 80+ RBI per season, along with a strong batting average that hasn’t dipped below .270 since 2012. Last season, Turner even set a career high in runs batted in with 96 playing for the Boston Red Sox.

However, Turner will be 39 when Opening Day rolls around in 2024, so how much longer before father time finally catches up to him will be anyone’s guess. In addition, his days manning the third base position will likely be limited, after seeing him commit 3 errors and posting a -3 DRS in just seven games played at the position last year. As a result, if he were to join the Jays, it will be in the role of the designated hitter. A potential one-year deal would be the most ideal offer for a reliable veteran heading towards his twilight years, but he may be able to land a multi-year pact elsewhere.

#7 OF Teoscar Hernández

Another fan favourite back in his time with the Jays, Teoscar Hernández had a productive season with the Seattle Mariners in 2023 despite becoming a strikeout machine in the process. He hit .258 with 70 runs scored, 29 doubles, 26 home runs and 93 RBI in 160 games played. More importantly, he was a star when hitting with runners in scoring position, sporting a .300 average with 67 RBI in such situations. At just 31-years of age, he should have plenty left in the tank to provide consistent run production for the next few years, which is exactly what the Jays need to re-ignite their offence and improve their clutch hitting for 2024 and beyond.

However, Hernández’s defence still remains an adventure whenever he plays in the outfield, and could become more detrimental to the team as it regresses even more in the future. So if the Jays really want to give Hernández another go, it should be only in the role as the team’s designated hitter going forward. Similar to Gurriel, bringing Hernández back to town could make things a little awkward as he was traded away the past offseason as well. But if the Jays' number one goal this offseason was to bolster their offence, Hernández certainly fits the bill.