Per an announcement from the MLB Players Association, Justin Turner was among a group of six players who became free agents on Thursday after their option decisions were resolved. While it was not specifically noted which side declined first on Turner’s mutual option, it was most certainly the Cubs. I don’t care how great he was as a clubhouse presence, there’s no way they were going to pay a 41-year-old $10 million to serve as a de facto bench coach.
Instead, Turner will earn a $2 million buyout and can seek gainful employment elsewhere. Or he may just choose to call it a career after 6,502 plate appearances over parts of 17 seasons for seven different teams.