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Cubs' Justin Turner Predicted to See Major Career Change Ahead of MLB Trade Deadline

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jon Conahan | Last updated Jun 12, 2025 1:45 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs made the surprise decision to sign Justin Turner during the offseason. Turner, now 40 years old, has been one of the premier hitters in Major League Baseball over much of the past decade.

While he isn't a Hall of Famer by any means, the two-time All-Star, World Series champion, and NLCS MVP has made a living swinging the bat at a very high level.

Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case during his time in Chicago, as he’s posted a .211 batting average with just one home run.

The Cubs will have some tough decisions to make over the next few months, but many don't expect him to be off the roster. If anything, Turner will likely have limited chances, which Just Baseball recently predicted.

“Unfortunately, his first season with the Cubs has seen him put up subpar numbers for the first time since 2011. In 37 games, he’s slashing just .211/.302/.267 with a 68 wRC+. He has just three extra-base hits (two doubles and a homer), and his 18.9% strikeout rate would be the highest of his career.

“On offense, the Cubs have youngsters Michael Busch and Matt Shaw now both performing well at the plate, and Seiya Suzuki most often mans the DH spot. Soon, opportunities for Turner may become fewer and farther between,” they wrote.

Despite his slow offensive performance, moving on from Turner doesn't have many benefits. Unless a team is interested in acquiring him at the deadline and is willing to send the Cubs something, having him in the clubhouse is more valuable than designating him for assignment.

Many players on Chicago's roster have spoken about what he brings to the organization, something that's very valuable given how much service he has in the show.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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