The Chicago Cubs are off to a strong start this season, positioning themselves as legitimate World Series contenders. They’ve gotten elite production from hitters like Kyle Tucker, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Seiya Suzuki, helping the Cubs build one of the top offenses in baseball.
But one veteran has struggled at the plate: Justin Turner. The former Los Angeles Dodger is hitting just .167 with no home runs in 58 plate appearances. While Turner is a part-time player on a $6 million deal, fans and analysts have started calling for the Cubs to move on from the struggling 40-year-old.
Should the Cubs Release Justin Turner?
When the Cubs signed Turner to a one-year, $6 million deal, they were hoping he’d bring leadership and postseason experience to a young clubhouse. But his lack of offensive production makes his spot in the lineup harder to defend.
For his career, Justin Turner is a .284 hitter with a .818 OPS. He’s hit 198 career homeruns and has produced eight MLB seasons in which he played at least 100 games and had an .800 or better OPS.
Last season with Toronto and Seattle, Turner played in 139 games and hit .259, but his .354 on-base percentage made him a productive asset.
Justin Turner has yet to record an extra-base hit as a Cub. Of 337 hitters with 55+ plate appearances, only he and Jonah Bride remain without one. The Cubs invested $6M expecting more from a knowledgeable veteran—so far, it hasn’t paid off.
— Brendan Miller (@brendan_cubs) May 6, 2025
Turner, who’s mostly played first base and designated hitter, simply isn’t hitting well enough to justify those roles. DH, in particular, is expected to provide power, and Turner hasn’t delivered any. With no defensive value and minimal offense, it’s getting harder to justify his roster spot.
Turner’s sub-.200 batting average is one thing, but with an on-base percentage sitting at .276, he’s become a near-automatic out.
Top prospect Travis Shaw, recently optioned to the minors, could eventually replace Turner if he gets back on track. It feels like only a matter of time before the Cubs are forced to make a move. After all, if a player is going to struggle, it might as well be one with their career ahead of them.
Who Would Replace Turner?
The Cubs’ offense looks capable of supporting a deep postseason run, but keeping Turner on the roster while he struggles could hold them back. If Shaw doesn’t earn a call-up soon, the Cubs could turn to a low-cost veteran to fill the DH role.
One name to watch: J.D. Martinez. Still available in free agency, Martinez is a DH-only hitter who is just two seasons removed from a 33-home-run season for the Dodgers. If Turner continues to struggle, a signing like that could give the Cubs a much-needed offensive spark.
