“Justin Turner needs to retire a Dodger”: Fans rally as former teammate names LA his only retirement choice

Veteran slugger Justin Turner is one of the high-profile names in search of a new team in the offseason after the Chicago Cubs declined his option for the 2026 season.

Turner, who is eyeing an 18th season in the MLB next year, is looking for a new team in free agency. The 40-year-old, who had his most successful stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers, said he hopes to re-sign with the team before hanging up his cleats.

Fans backed the idea of Turner donning the Dodger blue once more before retiring.

"JT needs to retire a Dodger. Love that pretty swing of his. 💙" "I’d love for him to come back for one more season 🥹🙏🏼" "I think the Dodgers organization & fans are honored to welcome you home as a Dodger at your retiring day. You've done many wonderful jobs & great contributions to Dodgers throughout your long service. We're looking forward to that day to cheer at you in Dodger Stadium!" "Yes! JT is forever a Dodgers." "His eyes sparkle when he talks about them 🫶🏻"

Justin Turner talks about memorable Dodgers stint amid free agency

Justin Turner spent the majority of his career with the Dodgers, playing nine years with the NL West team. He was named the 2017 NLCS MVP and set a franchise record for most RBIs in a single postseason. His crowning moment came in the 2020 season when he won his first and only World Series ring with the Dodgers.

"I think it's pretty obvious, the biggest chunk of my career came in LA, that was nine years," Turner said on retiring with the Dodgers. "The turning point of my career came when I put the Dodger uniform on. The one title I won was with the Dodgers."I don't even wanna get down to that yet but it's probably a slam dunk if it happened that way, we'll see what happens."

Turner was signed by the Cubs on a one-year deal earlier this year and struck his 200th career home run before the All-Star break in July.

Edited by Chaitanya Prakash