Long-time Dodgers Veteran Signs with the Cubs
After bouncing through three teams in two years, Justin Turner has found another new home. Earlier today it was announced that the Chicago Cubs signed Turner to a one-year deal worth six million dollars. Turner will fill their DH void possibly seeing a little playing time at third base. Coming off his worst career year since joining the Dodgers back in 2014, Turner is still valued as a great pure hitter and one of the best DH options on the market. The two-time All-Star not only adds depth to this lineup but adds a great clubhouse presence. Turner could be a very important addition very late into the season, especially in the playoffs if the Cubs make it there.
Over the course of his 16-year career, Turner has always found himself as an important part of whatever lineup he is placed in. He made his debut with the Orioles but found his first opportunities with the New York Mets. He then made his way to the Dodgers where spent nine years there and he helped lead them to three World Series appearances in four years, coming away with one trophy. Although his trophy shelf doesn’t show it, during those nine years Turner was one of the best hitters in the league. He consistently put up great stats during that time and finished top 15 in MVP voting three years in a row.
After having his worst year for the Dodgers in 2022, Turner signed a deal for 2023-2024 and opted out after the first season. He then signed with the Blue Jays to start the 2024 season and after underperforming a little bit and with no playoff expectations, the Jays flipped him to Seattle where he ended up performing a little better. Overall he finished 2024 with a .259 average and a .737 OPS with only 11 home runs. It was definitely a down year for Justin Turner standards but there is no reason to panic. If the Cubs can find a way to get even a little bit of that old power back then he will turn out to be one of the best DHs in 2024. If they do, you can expect Turner to have a big impact late into September and even in October.
