The Chicago Cubs aren’t doing too hot to start the 2026 season, as they sit at 3-4 and last in the NL Central. With injuries everywhere, they need to find some depth options to hold the line.
One spot they need some depth at is first base, with Tyler Austin on the IL, only Michael Busch and Matt Shaw are available. FanSided’s Christopher Kline predicts that Cubs could solve this by re-signing former All-Star Justin Turner, to let Shaw only have to back up three positions instead of four.
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“The Tyler Austin injury has left the Cubs with limited options at first base, which is Turner’s best primary position at this point. He can shag a few groundballs at third base in a pinch, too. Chicago has a deep and explosive lineup on paper, but Turner was a force for good in the locker room last season, if nothing else, and there’s a chance he can resurrect his stat profile a little bit. The bat speed and raw power is gone, but Turner is quite savvy in his approach. He doesn’t swing outside the zone or strikeout a ton. Maybe he’s still worth a flier,” Kline wrote.
Last season Turner struggled, slashing .219/.288/.314/.602 with seven doubles, three home runs, and 18 RBI. While they are below average numbers, keep in mind, he’d be a back of the bench depth option, in which case these are pretty adequate.
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As for a contract, his market value calls for a one-year, $3.6 million deal. And for the Cubs, this is probably one of the best contracts they can take for what it brings.
Hopefully, the Cubs can find another solution, but this is definitely one they should keep in the back of their minds if all else fails.
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