The 41-year-old’s $10M mutual option was declined after a tough 2025 season, but his “lasting impression” as a clubhouse leader and mentor was invaluable.
CHICAGO — The decision was made quietly, but its “reverberations echoed throughout” the Wrigley Field clubhouse. The Chicago Cubs have officially declined their half of a $10 million mutual option for veteran Justin Turner, making him a free agent.
Turner, who turns 41 next week, will receive a $2 million buyout to complete the one-year, $6 million deal he signed last February.
The move brings an end to the “Ginger Icon’s” short-lived tenure in Chicago. While the on-field results were a struggle—Turner hit .219 with three home runs and 18 RBIs in 80 games—his true value was never in question.
“Though he only lasted one year, Turner left a lasting impression in the locker room and on the field…”
He was universally praised by teammates and staff as “a coach in training,” “a natural leader,” and “the ultimate professional.” Reports from the 2025 season frequently highlighted Turner’s “palpable” effect on the clubhouse, where he served as a key mentor for young players like Pete Crow-Armstrong and was credited with keeping the “baseball conversations” in the dugout at an elite level.
The decision to move on was a straightforward one for the front office. Declining the $10 million option provides the Cubs with financial flexibility to rebuild their bench, which was seen as a significant weakness during their 2025 playoff push.
For Turner, his future in the game may now transition off the field, as many in the industry have pegged him as a future manager for years.
