Justin Turner, We Hardly Knew Ye: Best Free-Agent Backup Options for Michael Busch

[Brian Kelder]

Image courtesy of © Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

For the Chicago Cubs, when it comes to first base, Michael Busch will start for the next five years, health and skills permitting. After a tremendous 34-homer, 94-RBI season, we should expect him to man the position for the foreseeable future. The only nit to pick is his stats against left-handed pitching: a .207/.274/.368 batting line with only four home runs in 95 plate appearances.

The recently-jettisoned clubhouse favorite Justin Turner sopped up some of those at-bats against southpaws in 2025 to varying degrees of effectiveness. With him now (likely) out of the picture, Cubs seem like a good fit for a right-handed bat who will be content playing on the short side of a platoon, but the opportunity to be creative is here if the Cubs want to upgrade in multiple areas.

Note that we'll be using MLB Trade Rumors' expert predictions for each player's projected contract on this list.

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THE PERFECT FIT

Paul Goldschmidt, Yankees: Projected contract of one-year, $8 million

The 38-year-old veteran fits the lefty masher profile. He did, in fact, mash lefties last season to the tune of .336/.411/.570 line while a member of the Yankees. At his age, the market will not yield a major contract for him in years or dollars; he played last year on a one-year deal for just $12 million. 

After losing time to Ben Rice in New York, Goldschmidt reportedly wants a cleaner path to playing time in 2026 and is amenable to a short-term deal. The Cubs would be the perfect landing spot for him. There would be plenty of opportunities at the cold corner when Busch sits, as well as potential turns at DH from time to time.

Goldschmidt would also be a perfect Justin Turner replacement in the clubhouse. All one has to do is Google the phrase "Paul Goldschmidt teammate" and page upon page of results pop up, all of them reflecting a positive impact. He would theoretically be the perfect fit for the Cubs roster on a one-year deal.

Verdict: A perfect fit for what the Cubs would be looking for at this position in 2026.

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OTHER POSSIBLE FITS

Kazuma Okamoto, Japan: Projected contract of four-years, $64 million

Okamoto can play third or first and would be a theoretical fit that was already discussed on this fine website. His Cubs candidacy is tricky, especially because he'd be getting starter money for a utility or bench role. It's unclear is if he would be willing to come play in a non-full-time role; Matt Shaw seems established at third for now, and of course Busch is entrenched at first.

Verdict: A great fit who would raise the talent in the lineup and add depth to the bench. Highly unlikely due to price tag and role questions.

 

Josh Bell, Nationals: Projected contract of one-year, $5 million

Bell is somewhat of a poor fit for the Cubs' needs. He only hit .151 against left-handed pitching this past season—at that number, Busch is a better option. Still only 33 years old, Bell may also be looking for a more consistent starting role like the one he had in Washington this year.

If the Cubs are looking for Busch to get a breather and DH insurance for Moises Ballesteros, Bell could fit the bill. He's been known to have nuclear months at the plate as well. In September, for example, he slashed posted a 145 wRC+ with six home runs. He'd add another streaky layer to an already-streaky offense, but there's a lot of talent in his bat.

Of course, streakiness can go both ways. In April 2025, Bell posted a .503 OPS. If such a stretch were to happen for the Cubs in, say, August of this year, the streak issue would be amplified. Defensively, Bell adds nothing of value. 

Verdict: Bell is the type of player Jed Hoyer signs only if the terms are in the Cubs' favor and other options fall flat. Not a likely player to target, but one that could fall to Chicago if the price is right.

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UNLIKELY OPTIONS

Ryan O'Hearn, Padres: Projected contract of two-years, $26 million

Historically a bat that is platooned against left-handed pitching, similar to Michael Busch. O'Hearn would be redundant, although he could fill in a corner outfield spot as well.

 

Luis Arraez, Padres: Projected contract of two-years, $24 million

Arraez simply doesn't fit the Cubs' analytic model on offense. It would be fun to watch him and Nico Hoerner in a home run derby though.

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THE SHOCKER

Pete Alonso, Mets: Projected contract of four-years, $110 million

Slugging from the right-hand side of the plate is a need. Extreme power is a need for every franchise. Pete Alonso fits both of these needs, but can only play first base. No, let's not start the Michael Busch to second base narrative again, but Alonso could make sense with some creativity.

In 2025, Alonso hit for a higher average than the past two seasons, batting .278 after a few poor efforts prior seasons. The power has not fluctuated, though. Since 2021, he's totaled between 34 and 46 home runs every season. He's not a plate approach genius (53rd percentile walk rate), but not a whiff king either (40th percentile for strikeout rate). The Cubs do sorely need power, which Alonso would provide. The question is, of course, how they will value the profile of an aging first baseman.

Alonso is represented by Scott Boras and is reported to be seeking a seven-year deal. With him entering his 30s, the question will be how hard the aging curve strikes. He's already a negative defender and baserunner; if the bat and power wanes over time, the decline phase would be a real burden at his proposed cost. It does not seem like the type of profile Hoyer tends to gamble on.

Alonso would also make Michael Busch redundant and force one of them to DH more often than either would like, which is an issue with a roster that already has Seiya Suzuki and Moises Ballesteros.

Verdict: Would be a fun, exciting signing, but unlikely given the risk and cost.

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Ultimately, Busch has earned the runway to start at first base. This front office, though, values optionality over pretty much anything else procedure wise. A veteran southpaw masher fits their needs. Anything more would be an interesting pivot for a team that has bigger holes to fill elsewhere on the roster.

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[Arlen]

Very interested in Jonathan Long and think he deserves a shot, thankyouverymuch.

[Rcal10]

1 hour ago, Arlen said:

Very interested in Jonathan Long and think he deserves a shot, thankyouverymuch.

Except he wasn’t good against left handed pitching, which is primarily what he would be used for. 

[ryanrc]

Long is close to equally good from both sides of the plate. If you look at his entire career instead of last year, there's no worries about him platooning. He's STILL Better than anything else they have, and better than most anything else they could trade for. I project him as a .780 to .800 OPS guy in platoon vs LHP and almost the same versus RHP, but with power similar to Swanson. that'll play - and for a fraction of the money we wasted on Justin Turner (I warned you guys).  And don't under-estimate how much the lefty-righty thing gets exaggerated in the majors as compared to the minors. The kind of righties that dominate the majors are a different kind of nasty. 

He can, and will, outhit Turner, and also outfield him. He's an above average corner glove. And there's nothing bad about him being able to hit righties well. 

you can't have a team of 13 all stars -all you need is to be "a little better, a little more momentum" to go from Division Game 5 to the Big Show. 

[Rex Buckingham]

that's great that you project him that way... I don't think it's likely that he performs that well. You're projecting him to be basically Ian Happ.

[Backtobanks]

Goldschmidt is the obvious choice, but a cheaper option could be Mountcastle.