Veteran Justin Turner finalizing agreement to join Chicago Cubs: Source
The Chicago Cubs are finalizing an agreement with Justin Turner, a league source briefed on the negotiations told The Athletic on Tuesday, adding a highly accomplished right-handed hitter with extensive playoff experience to their group.
The Cubs monitored Turner, 40, on the free-agent market and pivoted after their failed pursuit of Alex Bregman, the All-Star third baseman who recently signed a three-year, $120 million deal with the Boston Red Sox that contains a substantial amount of deferred money.
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At this point, it seems unlikely that the Cubs would add another position player on a major-league deal during spring training. The Cubs did their due diligence and evaluated Nolan Arenado as a possible long-shot fit, league sources said, but the St. Louis Cardinals have no plans to trade the All-Star third baseman to their biggest rival in the National League Central.
With the Cubs starting their Cactus League schedule on Thursday — and opening their season on March 18 in Japan — it was time for Turner to make a decision.
According to league sources, spending the summer in Chicago and getting the entire Wrigley Field experience appealed to Turner and his wife Kourtney, who is from Indiana.
Turner knows how to perform in a large market. He established himself as a major-league player with the New York Mets and then blossomed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
As a Dodger, Turner helped Los Angeles win the 2020 World Series, while also earning two All-Star selections, as well as the Roberto Clemente Award, which recognizes community service, philanthropy and on-field excellence.
After leaving the Dodgers, Turner's late-career movement also brought him to the Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners. He was an above-average producer during his age-39 season, finishing with 11 home runs, 55 RBIs and a .737 OPS in 139 games.
The Cubs can pair Turner, a right-handed hitter, with first baseman Michael Busch and get him additional at-bats as a designated hitter. Turner has primarily played third base during his 16-year career, though it's unclear to what extent the Cubs would use him at that position, given his age and their hopes for top prospect Matt Shaw.
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