MESA, Ariz. — The Chicago Cubs, continuing to explore options even after the start of their spring training, are considering free agent Justin Turner as a potential addition in case Alex Bregman signs with another team, multiple league sources told The Athletic on Monday.
The Cubs remain in the mix for both free agents, whose markets overlap to a degree. Turner is drawing interest from some teams that are also tracking Bregman, an All-Star third baseman and the highest-ranking player (No. 7) remaining on The Athletic’s Top 40 Free Agent Big Board.
At the age of 40, Turner is a highly accomplished right-handed hitter (.821 career OPS) who competed in 19 postseason rounds with the Los Angeles Dodgers. While no longer an everyday third baseman, he is experienced at that position and can also play first base or produce as a designated hitter.
The Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers have also expressed varying levels of interest in both Turner and Bregman. The Red Sox, though, have Triston Casas at first base, Rafael Devers at third base and Masataka Yoshida as their designated hitter. Meanwhile, the Tigers probably prefer to go with younger players — they’re moving Colt Keith to first base to make room for second baseman Gleyber Torres.
Turner and his wife Kourtney, who is from Indiana, are intrigued by the idea of spending the summer in Chicago, league sources said. Going to Wrigley Field as a Cub would complete a sort of big-market circle for Turner, who already has played for the Red Sox, Dodgers and New York Mets during his 16-year major-league career.
Justin Turner is no stranger to the bright lights, having also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox and New York Mets. (Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images)
Earlier this offseason, the Seattle Mariners were interested in bringing back Turner before pivoting toward Donovan Solano, signing the veteran infielder to a one-year, $3.5 million contract. At one point, the Cincinnati Reds were also in contact with Turner.
Turner’s contract expectations should easily fit within the Cubs’ baseball operations budget, which chairman Tom Ricketts has signaled will likely end up around the $241 million luxury-tax threshold.
In accounting for the competitive balance tax, the Cubs have roughly $209 million committed for this season, according to Fangraphs’ database, though the ultimate number given to president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer is unclear.
Otherwise, there is consensus within the Cubs’ baseball group that Bregman would be a great fit in this lineup. Signing the Scott Boras client to a shorter-term, high-salary contract modeled after Cody Bellinger’s deal — if Bregman isn’t adamant about a six- or seven-year pact — would be a logical next move in the organization’s multiyear rebuild.
If the Cubs don’t land Bregman, top prospect Matt Shaw will get a chance to be their Opening Day third baseman. The other options in camp include Jon Berti, Vidal Bruján, Nicky Lopez and Gage Workman. They represent depth, though, more than huge upside for a team with clear playoff expectations.
“It’s time for Matt to go out and play,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Monday at the team’s Arizona training complex. “Matt’s passed a lot of tests. He’s a talented young player. The message is, Matt’s got a shot at it. There’s no question about it. He’s squarely in the mix. He is going to get the first shot at it.”
That is unless Bregman eventually shows up in Mesa with Boras for a press conference, the way Bellinger did last year.
(Photo of Turner: Alika Jenner / Getty Images)
The Athletic’s C. Trent Rosecrans contributed to this story.
