Cubs lose former World Series champion, NLCS MVP to free agency after contract move

One of the most accomplished players on the Chicago Cubs is now a free agent.

Justin Turner has hit the open market.

The MLBPA announced that Turner is now a free agent. He had a mutual contract option with the Cubs, but evidently one of the sides declined it.

Turner will turn 41 later in November and is coming off his worst season in a long time.

With the Cubs, Turner played in 80 games and batted just .219 with a .314 slugging percentage.

Turner spent a lot of time in the dugout, and he was the short-side of a platoon at first base at times.

Against lefties, Turner batted .276 with a .429 slugging percentage. It was his .141/.232/.155 triple-slash line against righties that really ruined his season.

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Turner could consider retirement, but that's not something that has been suggested by him or any other reporters, so he may just look to find a new team.

He's a World Series champion, an All Star and a former NLCS MVP. It's fair to think that Turner would be a strong veteran presence, potentially in a contender's clubhouse that trends a little bit on the young side.

The Cubs don't really need to directly replace Turner. They gave him a shot, and he wasn't quite as good as he's been in recent years.

Given that, the Cubs and Turner will both be moving on and hoping that they can do better with their next opportunity.

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