At 41, former Blue Jays infielder not looking to retire yet: 'I'm ready to roll if someone still wants me'
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Former Toronto Blue Jays infielder Justin Turner isn't ready to retire yet.
The 2025 campaign proved to be a challenging one for veteran infielder Justin Turner.
When the Blue Jays knew they were out of contention in 2024 they traded Turner to the Mariners at the deadline for outfield prospect RJ Schreck.
The two-time All-Star struggled at the plate in 2025 with the Chicago Cubs, posting a .219/.288/.314 slash line across 191 plate appearances.
Coupled with Turner recently turning 41, the down year sparked natural questions about whether his playing career might be nearing its end.
Turner, however, made it clear this week that retirement is not on his radar.
Appearing on MLB Network on Sunday, Turner emphasized that he remains eager and motivated to continue playing in 2026, expressing both his love for the game and his belief that he can still contribute meaningfully.
“I’m listening for phone calls. I’m ready to go anywhere,” Turner said. “I’m ready to help make an impact in a clubhouse, help shape culture, and help a team win. The door is wide open. I’ll go play and try to help anyone. I want to play this game as long as I can — I love it. I love being around it, I love being in the batting cage with the guys. I’m ready to roll if someone still wants me.”
Turner's experience, leadership, and clubhouse presence is his calling card
From a performance standpoint, 2025 marked Turner’s first below-average offensive season since he established himself as a full-time major leaguer.
Just one year earlier, he produced a solid .259/.354/.384 line between Red Sox, Mariners and Blue Jays, finishing 16 percent above league average at the plate by wRC+ in both 2023 and 2024.
While the drop-off this past season was significant, it came in a relatively small sample size and wasn’t accompanied by a dramatic erosion in plate discipline.
Turner’s strikeout rate did rise modestly from 17.6 percent to 19.4 percent, but his overall contact rate — particularly on pitches within the strike zone — remained largely stable.
Justin Turner hits a pinch-hit #WALKOFF homer! Sing it, Chicago 🗣️
Given Turner’s age and recent production, anything beyond a modest one-year contract would be difficult to justify.
He earned a guaranteed $6 million on his one-year deal with the Cubs in 2025 and would almost certainly need to accept a reduced salary moving forward.
Teams may be hesitant to promise him everyday playing time after last season’s struggles, but clubs operating with tighter payrolls — particularly those in need of a left-handed bat at first base or designated hitter — could view Turner as a low-cost veteran gamble.
Along with the potential for rebound production, he would bring leadership, experience, and well-regarded clubhouse presence to any roster willing to take the chance.
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