SAN FRANCISCO, CA – AUGUST 27: Chicago Cubs first base Justin Turner (3) looks on in the first inning of a MLB game against the San Francisco Giants on August 27, 2025 at Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA. (Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Chicago Cubs are in the middle of a tightly contested National League playoff race, with the top Wild Card position carrying added importance as the regular season winds down.
“The Cubs are still involved in a dogfight with the (San Diego) Padres and the (Philadelphia) Phillies for the top wild card spot in the National League, which would allow them to host the best-of-three Wild Card Series at Wrigley Field,” James Neveau wrote for NBC 5 Chicago.
The ongoing postseason push comes after Chicago ended its playoff drought last year, reaching the National League Division Series then suffering a disappointing loss to the rival Milwaukee Brewers.
One of the veterans who was part of last year’s team is no longer around to help fuel the latest playoff race, and has instead taken a very different route to add another championship to his resume.
Chicago Cubs Castoff Justin Turner Finds Championship Success After Leaving MLB
Former Cubs veteran Justin Turner celebrated a title with the Toros de Tijuana in the Mexican League, helping the club defeat the Olmecas de Tabasco in six games to win the 2026 Serie del Rey. Turner hit .295/.395/.469 with six home runs over 65 games during his first season in Mexico.
Following the championship, Turner sent a two-word message on social media that captured the moment less than one year after the Cubs moved on: “Vamos campeons!”
Turner joined Chicago before the 2025 campaign on a one-year contract with a mutual option for this season. He provided some depth at first base and third base and served as a designated hitter, but appeared in just 80 games, batting .219/.288/.314 with three home runs and 18 RBI.
The Cubs ultimately declined his option for 2026, making him a free agent.
The decision sent Turner into the next phase of his career, and he signed with Tijuana in April.
Former Chicago Cubs Infielder Earns Another Championship After Option Declined
Turner’s post elaborated on how much the latest championship season meant to him, revealing that he has turned a disappointing contract decision that ended his MLB career into a positive experience.
“I came to the Toros de Tijuana because I knew there was more in the tank, but the goal was never to just play,” Turner wrote. “It was always to win, to bring another championship to Tijuana!”
Turner also emphasized the bond he forged with his new teammates.
“This was such a great group of guys, and not everyone who was a part of it got to hold that trophy, but we couldn’t have done it without them either,” he added. “We will be bonded together forever in this championship!!”
The championship gives Turner another title after he helped the Los Angeles Dodgers win the 2020 World Series.
For the Cubs, the focus remains on securing its own title this season. Ultimately the front office decided it would be better off trying to do that without Turner on the payroll.
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