Veteran infielder Justin Turner spent a short stint with the Seattle Mariners in 2024 after being traded from the Toronto Blue Jays.
While he enjoyed his time in Seattle, he hasn’t held back in criticizing the team’s lack of spending after signing with the Chicago Cubs for the 2025 season.
Turner, like many MLB fans, was left baffled by the Mariners’ approach this offseason, particularly after they fell just one game short of the playoffs last year.
“The fact that they missed the playoffs by one game, and didn’t go out and add an impact bat or two when you have the best pitching staff in baseball … Just seems absurd to me,” Turner said.
Unlike the Mariners, the Cubs have been aggressive in their roster construction, adding star outfielder Kyle Tucker as a centerpiece of their lineup.
Turner is expected to provide depth for a team that is making a serious push to compete in 2025. Meanwhile, Seattle’s reluctance to bolster its offense has drawn frustration from fans and players alike.
Despite boasting one of the strongest pitching staffs in the league, the Mariners have made minimal offensive upgrades, re-signing Jorge Polanco and adding Donovan Solano.
With star outfielder Julio Rodríguez carrying much of the offensive burden and T-Mobile Park’s pitcher-friendly environment, expectations for Seattle’s lineup remain low.
Turner admitted he would have liked to return to the Mariners, but not under these circumstances.
“Honestly, as much as I wanted to be back there, if I was the only piece they brought back in, I would be saying the same thing: What the hell are we doing? Are you trying?” he said.
With the American League West seemingly up for grabs, Turner believes the Mariners missed a golden opportunity.
“There’s not going to be a better time to go for it. So, I don’t know what. they’re doing. I’m very confused. It’s a head-scratcher for me,” he added.
As the 2025 season approaches, the Cubs are gearing up to battle for the National League Central crown, while the Mariners will hope their elite pitching can compensate for their lackluster offseason.
Having said that, Turner shined a light on a bigger problem in baseball: MLB owners who are simply sitting on money and refusing to spend it on improving their teams.
The Mariners are far from the only offender when it comes to this problem.
This is the reason why there is as much talk for a salary “floor” as there is for a salary cap in Major League Baseball.
What are your thoughts on Turner’s comments and the overall spending issue in the sport???
