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Justin Turner<\/a><\/strong> is \u201catop [the Diamondbacks\u2019] want checklist\u201d this offseason, USA Today\u2019s Bob Nightengale<\/a> writes.\u00a0 It isn\u2019t any shock that the D\u2019Backs can be in pursuit of Turner, because the workforce additionally had interest<\/a> within the veteran infielder final winter, and Turner\u2019s inventory is kind of excessive after a profitable 12 months with the Purple Sox.<\/p>\n Turner hit .276\/.345\/.455 with 23 homers over 626 plate appearances with Boston final season, as he hasn\u2019t proven a lot signal of decline although he turns 39 later this month.\u00a0 He\u2019s again on the free agent market after declining his player option<\/a> to stay with the Sox, and appears prone to land one other multi-year contract even at his superior age.\u00a0 Something past two assured years is perhaps a little bit of a attain, nevertheless, which maybe retains Turner inside the Diamondbacks\u2019 value vary.<\/p>\n A number of contenders or would-be contenders are prone to test in on Turner this winter, so the reigning NL champion D\u2019Backs received\u2019t be alone of their pursuit.\u00a0 Taking part in in Phoenix would additionally deliver Turner a bit nearer to his house in Southern California, and if Turner had designs on being a daily third baseman once more, the Diamondbacks have a gap on the sizzling nook since Evan Longoria<\/a><\/strong> can also be a free agent.\u00a0 Turner would in all probability be within the lineup most on daily basis as both a 3rd baseman, designated hitter, or occasional first baseman if Christian Walker<\/a><\/strong> is at DH or getting a relaxation day.\u00a0 When Turner isn\u2019t at third base, Gerardo Perdomo or Emmanuel Rivera<\/a><\/strong> can be readily available to man the place.<\/p>\n Signing Turner would additionally add a right-handed bat to Arizona\u2019s lineup, and GM Mike Hazen advised reporters (together with The Athletic\u2019s Evan Drellich<\/a> and Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic<\/a>) that retaining the lineup balanced is \u201cin all probability going to be an space that we\u2019re going to wish to deal with once more<\/em>.\u201d\u00a0 Free brokers Longoria, Lourdes Gurriel Jr.<\/a><\/strong>, and Tommy Pham<\/a><\/strong> all hit from the appropriate facet, leaving the Snakes somewhat heavy on lefty swingers and switch-hitters.\u00a0 Prime prospect Jordan Lawlar<\/a><\/strong> is a right-handed hitter who is predicted to get a bigger position after making his MLB debut in 2023, although putting in Lawlar because the on a regular basis shortstop is perhaps somewhat daring, and it is perhaps depending on how the D\u2019Backs handle the third base scenario.<\/p>\n Past one other hitter or two, Hazen careworn that his workforce might be wanting so as to add some skilled rotation assist.\u00a0 Zac Gallen<\/a><\/strong> and Merrill Kelly<\/a><\/strong> have been the cornerstones of an in any other case subpar rotation, as a lot of the youthful arms had some rising pains, veteran Zach Davies<\/a><\/strong> was injured and principally ineffective, and Madison Bumgarner<\/a><\/strong> was launched fully after continued struggles.<\/p>\n Rookie Brandon Pfaadt<\/a><\/strong> established himself in the course of the playoffs, so he\u2019ll be penciled into one spot together with Gallen and Kelly.\u00a0 That leaves room for one more seasoned pitcher inside the rotation\u2019s high 4, and Hazen felt the Snakes have been merely missing on this division in the course of the postseason, most notably of their now-infamous bullpen recreation in Recreation 4 of the World Collection.<\/p>\n \u201cHaving veterans in that rotation matter.\u00a0 I feel you appeared throughout the aisle right here on this collection and [the Rangers] had extra veteran beginning pitchers than we did<\/em>,\u201d Hazen mentioned.<\/p>\n To this finish, Hazen had some regrets over not already addressing this want final summer season.\u00a0 The final supervisor mentioned he \u201cchased each beginning pitcher within the free market<\/em>\u201d on the deadline, and famous that groups usually requested for Pfaadt and Alek Thomas<\/a><\/strong> in commerce calls for.\u00a0 Whereas Hazen had no intention of shifting both of these gamers, \u201chave been there different avenues that we may have pushed, by including extra prospects within the offers the place it didn\u2019t embrace these guys?\u00a0 The place I ought to have gone down that route?\u00a0 I don\u2019t know.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know the reply to these issues.\u00a0 However I do know I didn\u2019t get a beginning pitcher.\u00a0 And that\u2019s on me<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n \n<\/div>\n