Most of the 2025 season felt like Justin Turner's retirement. The Chicago Cubs signed Turner to round out their bench, and the 40-year-old veteran turned into a platoon option at first base during the regular season. Craig Counsell turned to Turner against left-handed pitchers, and while he served his purpose against southpaws, his overall production left a lot to be desired.
When it was revealed last week that Turner hit free agency after his 2026 mutual option was declined, the expectation was that retirement would be in his future. Towards the end of the 2025 season, it seemed that Turner had gravitated toward being an additional coach on Counsell's staff instead of an option on the bench, but it seems that he is not ready to end his playing career.