The Boston Red Sox sought to add right-handed hitting depth throughout the offseason, and before Alex Bregman became part of the equation, they were linked to 2023 fan-favorite Justin Turner.
After Bregman signed with Boston, Turner found a new home with the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs signed the veteran infielder on February 18, with the move first reported by Patrick Mooney of The Athletic. Both Boston and Chicago had shown interest in Bregman for a short-term deal, and after he signed, the Cubs shifted focus to Turner. The details of the contract have not been disclosed.
The Boston Red Sox spent much of their offseason looking to add right-handed hitting depth, and before Alex Bregman entered the picture, they were connected to 2023 fan-favorite Justin Turner.
Once Bregman signed with Boston, Turner found a new home with the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs signed the veteran infielder on February 18, with the news first reported by Patrick Mooney of The Athletic. Both Boston and Chicago had shown interest in Bregman for a short-term deal, and after his signing, the Cubs shifted their focus to Turner. The contract details have not been disclosed.
Cubs sign Justin Turner after losing out to Red Sox on short-term deal for Alex Bregman
Turner, a 40-year-old, 16-year MLB veteran, became a fan favorite in Boston during the 2023 season. While he had hoped for a reunion with the Red Sox after his one-year tenure, the team opted for Tyler O’Neill to provide right-handed power instead.
Over his career, Turner holds a .285/.363/.458 slash line with an .821 OPS across 16 seasons. He’s coming off a down year in 2024 with the Blue Jays and Mariners. However, given that Seattle’s T-Mobile Park is the least hitter-friendly stadium in the league, Turner could have more success playing half his games at Wrigley Field. He finished the 2024 season with a .259/.354/.383 line and 11 home runs in 139 games, splitting time between the Blue Jays (91 games) and Mariners (48 games).
The Cubs view Turner as a reliable veteran option to back up their likely Opening Day third baseman, prospect Matt Shaw. Shaw, 23, has only 35 games of experience at Triple-A but impressed at the plate during that brief stint. The University of Maryland product posted a .298/.395/.534 slash line with a .929 OPS for the Iowa Cubs in 2024.
Turner brings years of postseason experience to Chicago in a wide-open National League Central race. The Cardinals have been out of contention for two seasons, the Pirates haven’t given out a long-term contract to a free agent in nine seasons, the Reds are still young and finding themselves and the Brewers lost some critical talent this winter. Turner and fellow 2025 offseason addition Kyle Tucker could help take Chicago back to the playoffs with top prospects in tow.
