Turner joins Cubs, jokes about 2017 NLCS: 'I'm not apologizing'

MESA, Ariz. -- Justin Turner still hears about it when he heads back to his wife’s hometown in Northwest Indiana. There are a lot of Cubs fans in that part of the state, and they remember his devastating postseason walk-off homer against the North Siders eight years ago all too well.

“My answer to that is I’ve made a lot of outs against the Cubs, too,” Turner joked on Thursday. “And I always say, ‘The year before, you guys beat us and won a World Series.’ I mean, give and take a little bit, right?”

As far as Turner is concerned, that 2017 shot off John Lackey to win Game 2 of the National League Championship Series for the Dodgers is ancient history. In his 16th Major League season, Turner is now hoping to serve as a veteran voice and an impact bat for a Cubs team hoping to have a deep October run of its own this fall.

Sitting in bleachers next to Field 1 at the Cubs’ complex on Thursday, the 40-year-old Turner completed his first workout with the club after signing a one-year deal. Per multiple sources, his contract will pay him $4 million (plus incentives) and includes a $10 million mutual option (or $2 million buyout) for the 2026 campaign.

To clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Turner, the Cubs designated outfielder Alexander Canario for assignment.

“I couldn’t be more happy to be here with the Chicago Cubs,” Turner said. “I love the team, love the makeup, love what they’ve done, and I’m looking forward to an opportunity to win the division and make a playoff run. At this point in my career, the most important thing is going to a place that is going to win.”

Turner was mulling over other opportunities, but went with the Cubs’ offer after the team pivoted following Alex Bregman’s decision to sign with the Red Sox. The Cubs had Bregman in mind for third base but instead focused on adding Turner as an experienced role player.

Turner’s main job with the Cubs will be as a right-handed complement at first base to lefty-swinging Michael Busch, who came up through the Dodgers’ system while the veteran was starring for Los Angeles. Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Turner can also get at-bats as a designated hitter, offer a skilled pinch-hitter off the bench and add a layer of depth at third.

“We’re adding a bat. That was the goal -- to add a bat to the group,” Counsell said. “Justin has been a very good hitter in this league for a long time. It’s largely going to be off the bench kind of at the start. Obviously things happen during a season.”

Busch remembers picking Turner’s brain in Spring Training during their days together with the Dodgers and is thrilled to have the veteran in the room again.

“A lot of people know about him,” Busch said. “But then once you get to experience him, you kind of get to really see the player that he is, the teammate that he is. … I’m probably one of the more excited guys that we got Justin Turner.”

Turner said he will handle any role Counsell asks of him.

“My goal every year is to be ready and be available every single day,” Turner said. “Whether that’s in the lineup, whether that’s coming off the bench, whether that’s facing a lefty, I’m going to be ready and do whatever I can to help the guys win.”

Turner certainly has ample experience in that regard.

Over the course of his career, Turner has appeared in 86 playoff games across 19 series, including five NL Championship Series and three World Series. He picked up a ring with the Dodgers in 2020 and has performed well overall in the postseason, hitting .270 with 13 homers, 19 doubles, 42 RBIs and an .830 OPS.

That includes being co-MVP of the 2017 NLCS after he hit .333 with two homers, seven RBIs and a 1.145 OPS in the five-game victory over the Cubs. The three-run blast off Lackey was a crucial blow that gave L.A. a 2-0 lead in that series.

Turner laughed when asked if he would now apologize to Cubs fans for that home run.

“I’m not apologizing,” he said with a smile.

Turner will have chances to forge fonder memories of him for Cubs fans this year.

“It’s a great fan base,” he said. “I know that they show up. They're passionate. They understand the game. And [Wrigley Field] is rocking and rolling when the Cubs are good. And we intend on being good this year.”