Chicago Cubs infielder Justin Turner played nine seasons in Los Angeles and knows a thing or two about star power in Tinseltown, having played alongside Clayton Kershaw, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.
Turner sees that star potential for Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong.
“Yeah, there’s just a super talented player, and you know, it’s a great vibe, great energy,” Turner told the media about Crow-Armstrong before Saturday’s contest at Dodger Stadium. “I love the way he goes about it – I just want to be there for him and try to keep him as even-keeled as possible.”
Despite a slow start to the season for Crow-Armstrong, the third-year outfielder is currently slashing .200/.273/.523 with three doubles, six stolen bases, and 10 runs scored in 16 games so far in 2025. Turner believes Crow-Armstrong has the potential to impact every game he plays in.
“If he goes out and plays Gold Glove defense every day and takes quality of bats for us and finds ways to get on base and create havoc … I think we’ve all seen what happens,” Turner said. “Just when he steps on the base, he impacts the game so much. It just changes, and it puts so much pressure on the defense.”
Turner, who made his Major League debut in 2009 and is now in his 17th season in the big leagues, has already built a strong relationship with the fellow Southern California native Crow-Armstrong.
[Pete Crow-Armstrong, Justin Turner crashed fans’ wedding in Tokyo]
“It’s been really fun. It’s been fun to get to know him off the field,” Turner said. “He’s obviously a SoCal kid too. He came out and played in my charity golf event this year, so that was the first time I got to see them, and the relationship has just kind of taken off from there.”
Turner, 40, was signed by the Cubs in February to be a veteran presence in the locker room. The right-handed bat has started just four games for the Cubs on the young campaign and is 4-for-18 (.222) with three walks and three RBI.
Crow-Armstrong and the Cubs were reportedly in contract extension talks, with the $75 million figure being floated, but as of now those talks have not materialized into anything substantive.
But if the Cubs are to listen to the always outspoken Turner, reaching an agreement on an extension for Crow-Armstrong soon could make sense.
