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Turner 'happy' with Red Sox, has 'no idea' why Dodgers didn't re-sign him

Boston Globe / Getty

Justin Turner is happy to be contributing to the Boston Red Sox but said he never expected to play for a team other than the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"I have no idea," Turner answered when asked why the Dodgers didn't re-sign him this offseason, according to the Los Angeles Times' Jorge Castillo.

"That's not a question for me to answer because other than being extremely happy with where I am and loving all these guys and being a part of it, like, the honest truth is I did not see myself ever playing for another organization for the rest of my career. And that's just the truth."

The Dodgers declined a $16-million option on Turner in November after the two-time All-Star produced a .788 OPS with 36 doubles and 81 RBIs for them last season.

Turner, who became a mainstay in Los Angeles after joining the club in 2014, said he knew his run was over after the team signed J.D. Martinez.

The 38-year-old wound up taking a one-year deal with a player option for 2024 from the Red Sox after ex-teammate Enrique Hernandez recruited him.

The move has paid off so far. Turner entered Friday with a .368 on-base percentage and 18 RBIs in 44 games for a Red Sox club that's last in the AL East despite being four games above .500.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers continue to dominate. They sit in first place in the NL West with a 28-17 record and are doing it without several key players from last season, including Turner.

The veteran said he doesn't hold any ill will toward the Dodgers for not re-signing him. However, he added that he made it clear to the organization that he wanted to continue his career in L.A.

"I never pictured myself wearing another uniform," Turner said. "And when my option was declined, I made that clear to multiple people. … There (were) multiple people that I told, 'Hey, I want to come back. I want to get this done as fast as possible. Let's not beat around the bush. Let's not drag this thing out. This is where I want to be.'"

"I wasn't playing any games or trying to leverage anything," Turner added. "I made it clear what I wanted. So I don't know what happened, but it happened."

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