The Chicago Cubs should look to add this undervalued veteran to their roster.
The Chicago Cubs are still in the market to add another first baseman to their bench and be a backup to their starting first basemen Michael Busch. With a few interesting names still on the free agent market, one name jumps out that the Chicago Cubs should heavily consider signing to fill that role.
The undervalued Justin Turner
The now 40-year-old Justin Turner has carved out a stellar sixteen-year career in which he is a career .285/.363/.458 for an OPS and OPS+ of .821 and 124. Spending most of his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers in which he spent nine seasons with them. Justin Turner also spent his time with the New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, and most recently the Seattle Mariners.
The two-time All-Star spent the 2024 season with both the Toronto Blue Jays and the Seattle Mariners in which the Blue Jays traded Turner over to the Mariners at last year’s trade deadline when they were trying to make a push for the playoff which never came into being. In 139 games between both the Blue Jays and Mariners Turner had 24 doubles, 11 HRs, with 55 RBI, with a slash line of .259/.354/.383 for an OPS and OPS+ of .737 and 114.
Looking at the Long Beach, California natives Baseball Savant page a few things jump out which should catch the Chicago Cubs eye. Turner ranked in the 95th percentile for landing the sweet spot of the bat on the ball, as well as not swinging and missing when at the plate with being in the 90th percentile for whiff percentage.
Why the Chicago Cubs need Justin Turner?
Signing the 2020 World Series Champion would greatly benefit the Chicago Cubs roster and lineup. Turner would bring a proven winning mentality to the clubhouse as well as a much-needed veteran presence which the Cubs lack. Yes, the Cubs have Ian Happ, Jameson Taillon, and Dansby Swanson who all have close to or over eight-years’ service time in the big-leagues but having Justin Turner who has double the experience of all of them would greatly benefit the Cubs.
Having over ten years or more experience and service time in Major League Baseball is something that adds value to teams, especially if you’ve had success for that long. With Turner having sixteen-years in the league he adds some much unquantifiable value to the Chicago Cubs.
Justin Turner was also great during the second half which should’ve netted him a contract for how great he was. In 58 games post All-Star break with hitting .297/.382/.436 for an OPS of .818. Turner also proved to be a clutch hitter with hitting over .300 in 17 games and 10 at-bats with the bases loaded. As well as hitting .326/.341/.372 for an OPS of .713 in 44 games and 43 at-bats in the ninth inning.
Adding Justin Turner with those numbers he could figure to bring to the Chicago Cubs would greatly benefit their roster. Turner also has the ability to play third, though that should be considered in emergency situations given his age and with prospect Matt Shaw hopefully taking the position and making it his for this season and beyond. Spotrac currently has Justin Turners market value at him signing a one-year $7.7 million deal. Given his age and how quite his market has been I believe the Chicago Cubs could snag Justin Turner on a one-year $4.5 million deal which is where his market should be at.
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