The Chicago Cubs have a solid blend of veterans and younger talent on their roster this season, which is something they have not had in a while. The team has shown promise at making a playoff run in each of the last two seasons, but those efforts fell flat due to poor performances in September. Both groups finished with 83-79 records while being just out of the Wild Card race, which is something Craig Counsell’s staff is looking to avoid in 2025.
The pitching staff is already giving the fanbase something to worry about, despite the team being 30-20 through their first 50 games. Injuries have been the man story for the unit, and while the current group of arms have weathered the storm just fine, there will need to be reinforcements brought in at some point down the road.
Depth is the most important thing to have in all areas of this roster, and one of the veterans that Jed Hoyer signed to a one-year deal this offseason is beginning to make a real difference in the clubhouse.
Chicago Cubs’ veteran Justin Turner praised by Nico Hoerner
Justin Turner inked a one-year deal worth $6 million with the Cubs this past offseason. His original purpose was to serve as the right-handed hitting option at first base for Michael Busch, but he has already become way more than that to the guys in the locker room. Nico Hoerner spoke on Turner’s impact on the team and what he has done for them so far this season.
“He’s been a really, really big part of what we’re doing here,” Hoerner said.
Turner has produced more of the last couple of weeks after having a slow start to the campaign. His clutch walk-off knock against Miami last week was exactly what he needed to get him going. Turner even enjoyed a three-hit game on Tuesday in Chicago’s 14-1 rout of the Marlins on the road.
Justin Turner can be an important piece for the Chicago Cubs this year
Turner is currently slashing .203/.310/.232 for an .541 OPS in 29 games this season. The veteran has driven in 10 runs in his 69 at-bats and has yet to collect his first home run in a Cub uniform. Like Hoerner mentioned, Turner’s impact moving forward goes well beyond what he can do on the field. A big reason why he is with this team is to help the younger hitters throughout the season and be an older voice in the clubhouse that is desperately needed.
Turner knows what it takes to win a World Series, as he was with the Dodgers when they won it all in 2020. He has been a part of many teams that have taken deep runs into the postseason, which is exactly what this group is looking to do. Kyle Tucker and Dansby Swanson are two other key everyday guys that have a World Series title under their belts and are hoping to add more to their total with Chicago.
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