Cubs reportedly set to add veteran infielder Turner
The Cubs plan to sign veteran infielder Justin Turner to a one-year deal worth $6 million, according to multiple reports.
Turner, 40, can provide depth at first and third base, could be a primary pinch-hitting option and also bring winning experience to the clubhouse. He's played in 86 postseason games and three World Series, all with the Dodgers.
Last year Turner split time between Toronto and Seattle, hitting .259 with 11 home runs and 55 RBI in 139 games. The Long Beach, Calif., native made his MLB debut with Baltimore in 2009, spent four years with the Mets, then played for the Dodgers from 2014-22. He delivered 23 home runs and an .800 OPS for Boston in '23.
The Cubs are giving rookie Matt Shaw a chance to be the full-time third baseman this season, after missing out on free agent Alex Bregman. Shaw has yet to make his major-league debut.
Turner could be an option at third if Shaw falters or is injured. Primarily a third baseman throughout his career, Turner has just 13 starts at third base during the past two seasons. He also has more than 100 career starts at both first and second base.
Longtime Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo, 35, is still unsigned, but obviously doesn't have much experience at other infield positions.
Some significant MLB news dropped Tuesday morning with the announcement the Toronto Blue Jays couldn't reach an extension agreement with first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. So he remains on track to become a free agent after the season, and a prime candidate for trade talks in the coming months.
The Cubs should have interest. Guerrero and Kyle Tucker could provide a nice long-term offensive foundation, but that's also a risky move since both players are headed into free-agency and the New York teams are likely bidders.
The Cubs also announced the addition of former White Sox right-hander Chris Flexen to a minor-league deal. Flexen, 30, posted a 4.95 ERA in 30 starts on the South Side last season.
Former White Sox shortstop and Antioch native Paul DeJong signed with Washington this week.