02/18/25 12:18:00
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02/18 12:16 CST Justin Turner agrees to $6 million, 1-year deal with the
Chicago Cubs, AP source says
Justin Turner agrees to $6 million, 1-year deal with the Chicago Cubs, AP
source says
By JAY COHEN
AP Baseball Writer
MESA, Ariz. (AP) --- Justin Turner has agreed to a $6 million, one-year deal
with the Chicago Cubs, according to a person with direct knowledge of the
situation, giving the team additional infield depth.
Turner can earn an additional $2.5 million in bonuses, according to the person
who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the
contract was pending a physical.
The addition of Turner would give the team some security at third base should
Matt Shaw need more seasoning in the minors. The 23-year-old Shaw has been
slowed by a left oblique issue in spring training.
The 40-year-old Turner also could back up Michael Busch at first base and go
into the lineup at designated hitter. Turner played for Toronto and Seattle
last year, batting .259 with 11 homers, 55 RBIs and a .354 on-base percentage
in 139 games.
"He's been a really good player for a long time, and I think that he's someone
that we can really learn a lot from," Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson said. "Just
his experience, and he's just such a pro at what he does. ... He's somebody
that you definitely want to have on your team."
The Cubs pivoted to Turner after pursuing Alex Bregman in free agency. They
were in the mix for the two-time All-Star before he agreed to a $120 million,
three-year deal with the Red Sox last week.
Chicago is looking to make a playoff push after it went 83-79 last year and
finished second in the NL Central for the second straight season. It hasn't
made the playoffs since it was swept by Miami in the wild-card round in 2020.
Turner fits an offseason pattern for the Cubs after they added outfielder Kyle
Tucker and relievers Ryan Pressly and Ryan Brasier --- all World Series
winners. Turner is a .270 hitter with 13 homers and 42 RBIs in 86 career
playoff games, all with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
"I've been a fan of his for a long time," Cubs outfielder Ian Happ said. "The
way he plays the game, I think he's a natural hitter. His ability not only to
drive the baseball, but, situationally hit. The swing, the way he thinks about
hitting and all that stuff I think will be an asset for us."
Turner made his major league debut with Baltimore in 2009. He is a .285 hitter
with 198 homers, 814 RBIs and an .821 OPS in 1,678 games, also playing for the
Mets and Red Sox.
Also Tuesday, the Cubs announced they had agreed to a minor league contract
with right-hander Chris Flexen that includes an invitation to big league camp
for spring training. The 30-year-old Flexen went 3-15 with a 4.95 ERA in 30
starts and three relief appearances for the White Sox last year.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
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