Even as he enters his age-40 season, Justin Turner remains a productive player.
The two-time All-Star split time between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Seattle Mariners last season, posting a .354 on-base percentage and a 114 OPS+ in 139 games. Though he no longer possesses the power or defensive capabilities of his Los Angeles Dodgers years, Turner still represents a threat to opposing pitchers with his elite eye and solid bat-to-ball skills, which earned him a one-year, $6 million contract with the Chicago Cubs.
Yet according to The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma, Turner left larger deals on the table because he felt the Cubs gave him the best chance at a World Series title.
“At this point in my career, I just want to win,” Turner told Sharma. “I want to make a playoff run. For me, this was the best fit, the best team, the best org to win a division and make that deep playoff run and win another World Series.”
The signing of Turner was the finishing touch on what was a solid offseason for the North Siders as they look to return to the postseason for the first time since 2020. They added veteran left-hander Matthew Boyd on a two-year deal to fill out the rotation, acquired right-handed reliever Ryan Pressly from the Houston Astros to stabilize the bullpen and swung a massive deal for Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker to add an Most Valuable Player-level bat to the middle of the order.
In addition to more money, it’s also possible that another team offered Turner a starting role, which he is unlikely to receive with the Cubs. He is expected to back up rookie Matt Shaw at third base, help left-handed slugger Michael Busch at first base and mix in to the designated hitter rotation when Seiya Suzuki plays the outfield.
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