Newest Cubs addition roasts his former team, speaks to reason for signing

One of the final moves the Chicago Cubs made this offseason was the addition of veteran infielder Justin Turner on a one-year deal.

While Turner will have a valuable role on the Cubs' roster, serving as the primary backup to Michael Busch at first base, and a resectable right-handed pinch-hit option, there is also value for the Cubs having Turner in the clubhouse. Turner has become a respected veteran across Major League Baseball, and that mentality will certainly play throughout the Cubs' clubhouse.

In the immediate aftermath of Tuner's deal with the Cubs being reported, we learned that Turner passed up more money with other teams given the North Siders' chances of reaching the postseason in October.

It's safe to say one of those teams may have been Turner's former team, the Seattle Mariners. After opening the 2024 season with the Toronto Blue Jays, Tuner was traded to the Mariners ahead of the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline last season. With the Mariners, Turner slashed .264/.363/.403/128OPS+ in 190 plate appearances.

In similar way the Cubs are hoping Turner can be the veteran voice on a Cubs team that has yet to experience postseason success, the Mariners were hoping he would have had the same impact during the closing months of the 2024 season. Instead, the Mariners just missed the postseason.

Given how close the Mariners came to reaching the postseason, many had them circled as the team to watch in the offseason. As Cubs fans are aware, the Mariners' pitching staff is stocked with young arms. There was an expectation that the Mariners would add an impact bat this offseason. Instead, their biggest move on the position-player side was bringing Jorge Polanco back on a one-year deal.

Turner was baffled by the Mariners' inactivity this offseason. The new Cubs' infielder recently spoke with Bob Nightengale of USA Today about the Mariners' lack of impact moves this offseason.

The Cubs may have the Mariners to thank for Justin Turner

“Honestly, as much as I wanted to be back there," Turner told Nightengale, “if I was the only piece they brought back in, I would be saying the same thing: What the hell are we doing? Are you trying? There’s not going to be a better time to go for it. So, I don’t know what they’re doing. I’m very confused. It’s a head-scratcher for me."

Nightengale's reporting makes it seem that Turner did not want to return to the Mariners but the lack of moves coupled with an offer that never was there led to his decision to the Cubs.

The Cubs also may have contributed to the Mariners' inactivity this offseason. In the early months of the offseason, the Mariners were heavily linked to Nico Hoerner, but a deal between the two teams never materialized. Given the potential need the Cubs may have for starting pitching at some point this season, the Mariners may be a team to keep an eye on.