Despite leading the National League Central, the Chicago Cubs may look to upgrade their roster before the trade deadline, with first base emerging as a key area for improvement.
Rookie Michael Busch has been a standout performer, boasting an impressive .950 OPS. However, the team has shown a reluctance to play him against left-handed pitchers, limiting him to just 47 at-bats against southpaws this season.
Veteran Justin Turner was brought in to serve as a platoon partner for Busch, but he has struggled in that role. This has led to speculation that his roster spot is in jeopardy, with Zachary Rotman of FanSided predicting Turner will be replaced by the deadline.
“He’s been somewhat decent against left-handed pitching, as he has a .675 OPS against southpaws, but even that mark is below league-average, especially for a platoon player,” Rotman wrote. “If the Cubs don’t want to play Busch against lefties, they must find a better option than Turner. It’s time for the Cubs to admit this offseason mistake and find a better fit.”
Although Turner offers defensive versatility at the corner infield positions, his offensive output is a growing concern for a team with postseason aspirations. The two-time All-Star is in his 17th season and is on pace for the worst statistical year of his career, having not earned an All-Star selection since 2021. Unless the Cubs commit to playing Busch full-time, they may be forced to seek a more productive alternative to Turner to maintain their divisional lead.
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