“A part of my heart will remain under the Wrigley sky,” Turner shared as the 40-year-old veteran’s contract was not activated following a disappointing team season.
CHICAGO, Illinois – The short-lived but intense relationship between Justin Turner and the Chicago Cubs is officially over. According to an announcement this morning, the North Side team has decided not to activate his 2026 contract option, making Turner a free agent – and leaving fans with mixed feelings of regret and gratitude.
Turner, 40, joined the Cubs at the start of the 2025 season on a one-year deal with a team option, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a never-ending fighting spirit. Despite his advancing years, the former Dodgers star proved to be the “veteran” every locker room needs – a leader who doesn’t say much, but always knows how to make everyone around him play better.
But after a disappointing 78-84 season for Chicago, the team’s leadership opted to rejuvenate the roster. And the decision not to activate Turner’s $13 million contract was the first step in that “rebirth.”
“We respect everything Justin brings to the table—his professionalism, his presence of mind, and his calm demeanor during difficult times,” said President Jed Hoyer. “This was a strategic decision, but also one of the hardest we’ve had to make.”
On the field, Turner still made a lasting impression. He played in 126 games, hit .266 AVG, hit 18 home runs, and had 71 RBIs, along with a number of finesse plays in the outfield – proving that experience can sometimes trump youth. But above all, he brought a “winning culture,” one that Wrigley Field is still trying to rebuild after several shaky seasons.
And perhaps even more touching to fans was the message Turner left on his personal page just hours after the news was announced:
“Thank you Chicago for welcoming me and my family with open arms. I came here to fight, and I left with memories that I will never forget. No matter where the future takes me, a part of my heart will remain under the Wrigley sky.”
The simple but emotional words quickly spread throughout the Cubs fan community – those who were skeptical about the deal at the beginning of the season, but in the end, couldn’t help but love “JT” with the red hair and gentle smile after each double down the line.
Turner’s future remains uncertain. At 40, many believe he has taken the final step of his career. But anyone who has followed his career since his Dodgers days – with his gritty style and “grind every pitch” mentality – will know that Justin Turner has never just said goodbye.
There are rumors that a number of teams are considering signing him on a short-term deal, including those who need bench experience like the Brewers and Twins. In any case, this move is not over – simply another chapter in the book of Turner’s tenacity.
“I’m still passionate, I’m still motivated. I’m not ready to rest,” Turner said succinctly when asked about the future.
And perhaps, no matter what jersey he wears, the image of the red-haired man will live on in the hearts of Cubs fans – as proof that sometimes, the quietest farewells are the ones we remember the longest.
