MESA, Ariz. — Justin Turner knows he’s at the twilight of his career.

He could have signed with numerous different teams and had a more guaranteed shot at playing time or potentially even made more dough than the $6 million he’s receiving from the Cubs.

[MORE: Details on Justin Turner’s contract with the Cubs]

“I mean, I think at this point in my career, the most important thing is going to a place that is going to win, that wants to win and going to do whatever they can to compete and get in the playoffs first,” the 40-year-old infielder said on Thursday at Sloan Park. “That’s obviously the hardest part and then, have an opportunity to go win another championship.

“I love the game, love playing, love being around the guys, love talking baseball, but at the end of the day, it’s about winning.”

The Cubs have made it no secret there’s a sense of urgency to 2025. After back-to-back 83-win seasons, the team made “go-for-it” moves in acquiring players like Kyle Tucker and Ryan Pressly.

That’s why Turner doesn’t look at as joining a team stuck in the mud.

“I’ve had a pretty lengthy history with the Cubs and running to them in my years with the Dodgers and I know it’s a great place to play,” Turner said. “I know it’s a great city and then you look at the core group of guys here and what they have and [I’m] excited about it.

“Bringing in a lot of veteran guys on both sides of the ball is exciting and looking forward to making a run.”

Turner’s tenure in Los Angeles was a successful one — he won the 2020 World Series, received down-ballot MVP votes in parts of three seasons and was an All-Star twice. He also was the 2017 NLCS MVP when the Dodgers knocked out the Cubs.

But he isn’t being brought in to be that type of player. He’ll mainly serve as a backup to Michael Busch at first and serve as a right-handed hitting specialist off the bench.

“I feel like we’re adding a bat,” manager Craig Counsell said. “That was the goal, to add a bat to the group. Michael Busch is the first baseman, but we feel like that’s a position where we were just thin at organizationally and in camp.”

[MORE: Cubs part ways with young outfielder to make room for Justin Turner on roster]

Turner’s mindset isn’t just being a bench bat or role player — that’s not what’s gotten him to the brink of his 17th big-league season.

“You can lay out whatever you want before spring training starts, but a lot of things happen, and things can change,” Turner said. “My goal is to get ready here — obviously a little shorter window than at a normal spring training with the trip to Japan — but my goal every year is to be ready and be available every single day for Couns to do whatever he wants.

“So whether that’s in the lineup, whether that’s coming off the bench, whether that’s facing a lefty, I’m gonna be ready and do whatever I can to help the guys win.”