4 designated hitters the Chicago Cubs can target in free agency

4 Designated Hitters to target - 2. Justin Turner

Justin Turner is a pure hitter who has been consistent throughout his 13-year career. His still better-than-average league bat, in which he slashed .276/.345/.455/114 wRC+ with 23 home runs and a career-high 96 RBI was considered down from his typical 127 wRC+ career normal. As we saw with the resurgent 2023 of Martinez above, a bit of a dip in certain sabermetrics doesn't really mean you should hang your hat on a player permanently going downhill.

Though primarily a DH, in 2023, Turner appeared in 41 games at 1B, ten at 2B, and seven at 3B. Therefore, he can still play in the field to give other guys a day off. He does not have the most pop in his bat, but his ability to hit for average and drive in runs is still extremely valuable. Given his age of 39, he can be had on a cheaper, shorter deal, which helps the club save money elsewhere while still packing a viable punch to the lineup.