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It was a little surprising when the Mets non-tendered Justin Turner earlier this month. Sure, the infielder did not offer much in the way of on-base skills or slugging percentage, but he hit for average, played multiple positions, and most importantly, was a good "clubhouse guy."
Turner was always willing to do whatever Terry Collins asked and he turned into New York's cream pie man when the whipped celebration became en vogue. He seemed like a guy whose personality and work ethic was a major asset.
That wasn't the case, according to a recent report. Someone has leaked that it was Turner's "lack of hustle" that caused the front office to jettison him. Sandy Alderson didn't deny the report when he talked about the situation earlier this week.
"Don't assume every non-tender is a function of money," Alderson said.
Although the Mets front office does not seem to be one that values grission above more tangible aspects of the game, for an expendable player like Turner, no grission meant no contract.
