(670 The Score) The Cubs are set to add a veteran bat to their mix.
Infielder Justin Turner and the Cubs were finalizing a one-year, $6-million deal Tuesday morning, The Athletic reported. Turner will give the Cubs a backup option at third base, first base and designated hitter and has been added after Chicago seriously pursued third baseman Alex Bregman in free agency before he signed with Boston.
Turner, 40, hit .259 with 11 homers, 55 RBIs and a .737 OPS in 139 games split between Toronto and Seattle in 2024, when he had a 114 OPS+. He hit 23 homers and posted an .800 OPS in 2023 with Boston.
Top prospect Matt Shaw is in line to be the Cubs’ starting third baseman, assuming he performs in spring training. The addition of Turner could give the club another third base option if Shaw struggles, though Turner has only played 13 games at third base across the past two seasons and his defense has declined with age. The lefty-swinging Michael Busch is set to be the team's regular first baseman, but the Cubs will now have the option of using the righty bat Turner against left-handed starters when they see fit.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell expects the team's front office to continue adding veteran depth as needed, and he also reaffirmed that the young talent will have the opportunity to prove themselves.
"That process kind of continues for us," Counsell said. "The younger players still will get their chances."
Turner has extensive October experience, having played in 86 career playoff games. He won the World Series with the Dodgers in 2020. He has an .830 OPS in his playoff career.