Cubs Rumors: Justin Turner contract offers prove he wanted to be in Chicago

He's no Alex Bregman, but Justin Turner checks a big box for this Chicago Cubs team. With a projected bench mix that has next to no slug, the 40-year-old two-time All-Star adds some pop to the group and a much-needed insurance option behind Michael Busch at first base.

The fit has been clear for much of the offseason, even prior to the Bregman drama this month, but it's always nice to hear a guy wants to be here - and that seems to be the case with Turner.

Given the mood after Tom Ricketts' penny-pinching ways cost the Cubs Bregman, this feels like a win. Settling for someone like Jose Iglesias, who played out of his mind with the New York Mets last year and is a prime candidate for a major offensive regression, would've just added insult to injury. Turner hasn't had a below-average season at the plate in more than a decade and adds a huge veteran presence to the clubhouse.

Last season with Toronto and Seattle, Turner put up 1.5bWAR in 539 trips to the plate, slashing .259/.354/.383. The power numbers were down from his career marks, but he still ranked well above average in both walk and strikeout rate, not to mention whiff and chase rate.

I've reiterated this point too many times to count since the smoke surrounding Turner and the Cubs first surfaced, but understanding his positional fit is important. He's not a viable third baseman at this point in his career. He's an emergency stopgap option there, at best, but should primarily see time as a first base backup, DH or bench piece.

If the Cubs need a long-term option outside of Matt Shaw at third, it'll likely be whoever survives the roster crunch between Vidal Brujan and Gage Workman - not Turner. He's been a subpar defender at the hot corner for the better part of a decade and is, frankly, a 'break glass in case of emergency' option.

That being said, the idea of turning to someone like Brujan or Workman off the bench in a pinch-hit spot late with the game on the line was, frankly, a little nauseating. Even at his age, Turner is still a potent bat with a ton of postseason experience - a breath of fresh air after watching the likes of Nick Madrigal and Miles Mastrobuoni take big ABs last year.