What Justin Turner brings to the Cubs clubhouse Chicago Cubs ...

MESA, Ariz. — Entering his age 29 season, Justin Turner was at a crossroads.

He had played in 318 MLB games across 5 seasons and was a .260 hitter with a .684 OPS, 8 home runs and 0.6 bWAR.

What happened next was an incredible, improbable career turn where he became one of the best offensive players in the game, winning a World Series and becoming a two-time All-Star.

Turner wasn’t afraid to try something new and he revamped his swing, posting an .845 OPS with 190 home runs and 37.7 bWAR in his next 11 seasons. Now, that type of experience will be in the Cubs clubhouse as he is reportedly nearing a deal with the Cubs.

“He’s kind of, like, not been successful and then been successful,” Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson said. “Worked his way from being a good player to being a great player.

“It’s good for all of us just because that experience and the ability to explain it and coach it, if you will. Because he taught himself how to do it, I think it’s going to be even more beneficial for a lot of guys than I think we even realize at this moment.”

Turner isn’t being just brought in to be a player-coach, though. The Cubs believe he can impact the team even as a 40-year-old. He showed that last season.

In 139 games with the Blue Jays and Mariners, Turner had a .354 on-base percentage, a .737 OPS and 11 home runs.

“If it is [official], I’m really excited,” Ian Happ said. “I’m pumped. Been a fan of his for a long time. The way he plays the game; I think he’s a natural hitter. His ability not only to drive the baseball but situationally hit.

“The swing, the way he thinks about hitting all that stuff, I think will be an asset.”

[WATCH: Kyle Tucker details his routine and approach in the batter’s box]

Turner will likely serve as a platoon option for Michael Busch at first base, but he was primarily a third baseman early in his career and could serve as a mentor to Matt Shaw, the Cubs’ 2023 1st-round pick who has pole position at winning the Opening Day job at the hot corner.

“I think anytime you can lean on guys who have done a lot in the game and experienced a ton of different things, it’s a huge asset,” Happ said. “Not only does he have Nico and Dansby to talk to about coming up at a young age and what that takes, but a guy like Turner, who’s reinvented himself, played forever, had success at the highest level.

“All those experiences help form young players.”

And Turner is expected to contribute to winning — something he’s more than familiar with after spending 9 years with the Dodgers.

“Somebody that’s obviously at that age and is still willing to be out here and want to pursue greatness,” Swanson said. “It tells you all you need to know about him. Tells you what he thinks about this group as well. Just wanting to be here. I don’t think he’s wanting to waste years away.

“So wanting to be here and be a part of this group and be a part of [the] Chicago Cubs is going to be awesome.”