Justin Turner Rips Mariners, 'Missed' Chance to Spend Around 'Unicorn' Pitching Staff

Justin Turner isn't happy with the Seattle Mariners and not just because the American League West team didn't re-sign him this offseason.

The veteran, who signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Cubs this offseason, didn't hold back when discussing his former team during an interview with Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Turner played for the Mariners down the stretch of the 2024 season after they acquired him from the Toronto Blue Jays, and he believes the front office missed a golden opportunity this offseason.

"The fact that they missed the playoffs by one game, and didn't go out and add an impact bat or two when you have the best pitching staff in baseball just seems absurd to me," he said.

Nightengale noted the starting rotation of Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Luis Castillo, Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo started 149 of 162 games last season and posted a franchise record with a 3.40 ERA.

The group also led the entire league in lowest opponent's batting average (.223), on-base percentage (.266), OPS (.644), fewest hits per nine innings (7.37), WHIP (1.03), strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.77) and quality starts (92).

However, the front office didn't add an impact bat like Pete Alonso this offseason to supplement that group and might not have the offense to compete with the league's elite teams in the race for a championship.

“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?"

He continued, adding, "there's not going to a better time to go for it. So, I don't know what they're doing. I'm very confused. It's a head-scratcher for me.

Seattle's projected payroll of $152 million is $90 million under the luxury tax and 16th in the league. Only the Athletics, who are playing in Sacramento for the next three seasons while their future stadium in Las Vegas is constructed, has a lower payroll in the division.

"I told them several times this offseason, you have a unicorn of a pitching staff," Turner said. "This might be the best five starting pitchers in the history of the game. I mean, find me a better five-man.

"...There's never going to be a better time in the history of that franchise to have added a couple of bats to make a run than this year. And they missed it."

The lack of outside signings on the offense puts all the more pressure on returning players such as Julio Rodríguez and Randy Arozarena. Even keeping Turner would have helped, as he was responsible for 1.5 wins above replacement last season, per Baseball Reference.

He is no longer the same version of himself that was a two-time All-Star with three seasons of 27 home runs on his resume at 40 years old, but he could have at least provided some veteran leadership and offensive pop.

And that is the offensive pop that may be missing in 2025 for the Mariners even with a dominant pitching staff.