SEATTLE -- Shortly after he chopped a game-winning fielder¡¯s choice with the bases loaded that lifted the Mariners to a 7-6 walk-off win over the A's on Saturday night at T-Mobile Park, Justin Turner -- who turns 40 in November -- said that he ¡°100 percent¡± intends to play again in 2025.

"I still feel good, still feel like I have a lot to contribute,¡± Turner said. ¡°And I absolutely love spending time around these guys and the conversations and questions and helping guys try to figure things out."

He also made it clear that returning to the Mariners -- whom he joined at the Trade Deadline -- would be one of his top choices among among interested suitors, as Turner will become a free agent at season¡¯s end.

"I've talked to a lot of guys, and I've enjoyed my time here -- I would love to be back and be a Mariner,¡± Turner said. ¡°And I guess when that time comes, we'll see what happens. ... This is a fantastic clubhouse. And like I said, it's a core group of guys that is going to be together for some time, and I think they have a chance to do some special things.¡±

Turner is already MLB¡¯s oldest position player who¡¯s been on an active roster all season, but his production has remained steady. He¡¯s hit .261 with five homers, six doubles, 22 RBIs, 20 walks and 34 strikeouts in 187 plate appearances, good for a .753 OPS that ranks fourth best on the team. And he¡¯s obviously been a huge boon of veteran experience within one of the sport¡¯s younger clubhouses.

"Not even just his coaching, I mean, the guy's just one of the better hitters on our team,¡± said Cal Raleigh, who crushed his 33rd homer earlier on Saturday. ¡°I kind of joke about it, just because he is an older guy, but he's also producing at a high level and coming up with huge hits."

Before Turner¡¯s arrival via the Deadline deal with Toronto, the Mariners had mostly lacked a productive position-player veteran presence, which players like Raleigh have pointed to the extreme value of. Luke Raley, who also homered on Saturday, against a 99.7 mph fastball from All-Star reliever Mason Miller, echoed that sentiment.

"I truly believe if JT was here for the full season, we would be in the playoffs,¡± Raley said. ¡°I think that's how important he is. And how much he's worked with people's mindsets more than anything. He's just a true pro. He's the guy that you want in your clubhouse, and he is a true leader.¡±

Jerry Dipoto, in a wide-ranging and impromptu media session on Saturday, outlined that acquiring a veteran position player would be a priority this offseason, too.

"I've really appreciated getting to see what the real veteran leadership does for this team,¡± the Mariners¡¯ president of baseball operations said, ¡°and we've seen it now on two occasions [Carlos Santana in 2022], and it's been really pronounced in how much it's helped our players.¡±

Turner is earning $19.7 million this year -- $13 million via a one-year contract he signed with the Blue Jays and a $6.7 million buyout from his previous contract with the Red Sox.

He¡¯ll clearly have a market this winter, and now it¡¯s official that he intends to explore it.