Justin Turner, Kyle Tucker Praise ‘Good Baseball Group’ in Cubs Camp
I’ll save you the time of asking the question by admitting right off the jump that, yes, it’s a slow news day. Not only that, but I just got done purchasing my tickets to see the Wu-Tang Clan and Run The Jewels in Chicago as part of the Final Chamber tour. This is easily the most excited I’ve been in a long time, and I really wish I could muster the same optimism for another group that will be playing in Chicago this summer.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m among the more bullish folks out there when it comes to the Cubs’ chances in 2025. It’s just that there’s such a strong possibility of them being a one-and-done kind of team, kind of like Duke basketball but without the deep pockets to replace lost players via NIL deals and tremendous recruiting. Barring a dramatic change in tack, the likelihood of extending Kyle Tucker and/or adding another superstar in free agency is not high.
But rather than getting bent out of shape about what might not happen eight or nine months from now, let’s focus on the present. By all accounts, the Cubs have built a team that should be more competitive and enjoyable to watch than in any of the last few years. Whether it was waiting on the guillotine to drop in 2022 or watching team leadership try to clean up all the rolling heads, the North Side hasn’t played host to a product worth celebrating.
Whether or not that changes in a serious way is up to the players Jed Hoyer has brought in over the last few months and possibly those he’ll target at the deadline. And while on-field production is paramount, there’s something to be said for dudes getting along in the clubhouse and away from the ballpark. That can aid the transition to a new team and provide a little more motivation for players who might otherwise be driven by purely intrinsic means.
One of those additions is Justin Turner, the long-tenured ginger who was brought in as much for his experience as anything else. He’s a baseball junkie who’s lasted into his 40s because he can still handle the bat, but also because he has a deep affection for the game. That kind of attitude is infectious and should have a significant impact on younger teammates in particular.
“It’s just a good baseball group, man,” Turner told Marquee. “A lot of guys that love the game, love talking the game, love practicing, wanting to get better. So that’s always nice to be around. You don’t have guys in here that think they’ve got it all figured out. Everyone’s curious, everyone wants to get better every single day and the baseball conversations have been off the charts so far.”
Turner’s journey to Chicago took quite a bit longer than another major addition whose last name is similar enough that I have already found myself mixing them up several times. Tucker came over in a blockbuster trade that seemed very out of character for Hoyer, particularly due to his single season of club control. The under-the-radar star will get a chance to play in the summer spotlight of Wrigley Field after years of being well down the list of the most recognizable Astros.
Will that tip the scales toward the Cubs when it comes to working out a more club-friendly deal to keep him around? Probably not, but it sure can’t hurt.
“It’s just different,” Tucker shared with MLB Network Radio. “Obviously, I was with the Astros my whole career up to this point. Made some really good relationships over there, a lot of great friends. It’s tough, but being able to come to this organization and kinda just fit in easily and, you know, these guys are great people and great ballplayers.
“So they make it a pretty seamless transition, which is really great as someone coming into the organization, just being able to fit in pretty quickly is pretty cool. I’m excited to start the season with everyone and get to playing games.”
We’re going to find out just how well this group coalesces much quicker than usual, with the two-game series in Japan less than three weeks away. How the Cubs handle that unusual kickoff and a return to spring training games prior to their domestic opener in Phoenix could tell us a lot about what’s in store for the season. That sounds like I’m ascribing a lot of importance to two games, which is not my intent.
Instead of adding weight to what is really just a glorified exhibition, the unique circumstance of an early overseas trip could put a little more stress on the Cubs than they’d typically experience. Game results aside, being able to bounce back from that weirdness and shake off any rust a few weeks before they’d normally have to is a legitimate litmus test.
If Kystin Tuckner really mean what they say and aren’t just blowing smoke, it’s possible Hoyer has caught and corked a lightning bolt. Regardless of their level of sincerity, having great chemistry is only good as an additive. It’s the smoked paprika of the dish, which is to say it can only add flavor to the more integral components.
