Ex-Mets player rips team he just left: ‘Are you trying?’

Cubs DH/infielder Justin Turner, who joined Chicago on a one-year, $6 million deal last month, is calling out his former team.

Turner was acquired by the Mariners at last year’s trade deadline. This offseason, the Mariners didn’t show any interest in him, the latest example of a trend from Mariners' ownership. Speaking to Bob Nightengale of USA Today this week, Turner criticized Seattle’s lack of activity.

“Honestly, as much as I wanted to be back there,” Turner said, “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?”

Seattle’s only free agency signings this offseason were infielder Jorge Polanco and utility infielder Donovan Solano. According to Nightengale, the Mariners did not make an offer to outfielder Juan Soto, first baseman Pete Alonso or third baseman Alex Bregman, all players who could have improved an offense that ranked 22nd in OPS (.687).

“There’s not going to a better time to go for it,” Turner said. “So, I don’t know what they’re doing. I’m very confused. It’s a head-scratcher for me.”

The Mariners missed the playoffs by one game in each of the last two seasons, and Turner said that not adding an impact bat or two despite having one of the best pitching staffs in the league “seems absurd.”

Turner, 40, split the 2024 season between the Blue Jays and Mariners, logging a .259 average with a .737 OPS and 11 home runs between the two clubs.

Turner played for the Mets from 2010-14. He was on the cusp of breaking out when the Mets non-tendered him and he signed a minor-league deal with the Dodgers, where he became an everyday player and one of MLB’s most productive middle-of-the-lineup bats.

Turner spent nine seasons in Los Angeles, reaching the postseason in each of them. He has a .270/.370/.460 slash line in 86 playoff games.

Over the last few seasons, Turner has transitioned into the DH role but he can slot in at any position (except shortstop) around the infield. In 2023 with the Red Sox, Turner logged 41 games at first base, 10 games at second base and seven games at third base. In 2024 between Toronto and Seattle, he played 43 games at first and six at third. He DH’d in 87 games.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.

Bridget Hyland may be reached at bhyland@njadvancemedia.com.