Report: Cubs interested in veteran hitter Justin Turner |
Now that pitchers, catchers, and pitchers have been underway for the past two days, it's business as usual for the Cubs in Mesa as they prepare for their first official team workout this weekend. With that comes the team's preparation to get everyone ready, including Matt Shaw, who will get plenty of reps at third this Spring.
He expected to be given an opportunity to win the job, but it's his job to lose right now, as Craig Counsell hinted that he will be getting most if not all of his innings at third this Spring. As exciting as it is, the Cubs remain in discussions with not one but two remaining free agents as they are looking to improve their roster by any means necessary. If you missed the opening Spring presser from Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins, not only did they dodge the Alex Bregman question, but Hoyer continued to state that you shouldn't rule out the possibility of this team adding more pieces in the coming days. Whether those pieces are minor league depth options or major league guys will be a topic for another day, but at the very least, that has to be encouraging to the fans, knowing that the front office hasn't packed it in. One of the biggest, if not the biggest, stories going around the MLB is the Bregman situation, as he is still without a contract and, from all accounts, is still seeking a six or seven-year deal. Could a contract like that come into play in the coming weeks? Sure, but the longer he goes without an agreement, the more likely it will be to see him forced to sign a short-term deal. Knowing that the Cubs have already made him a creative offer and have given him a four-year contract worth 120 million. The contract is unique because it includes opt-outs, extensions, and other literature. The Cubs have the best offer for the AAV side of things. Adding Bregman to this roster isn't a need, but if you put him in this lineup with what they already have, this team will be the landslide favorite to win their division. While the Cubs will remain patient and engaged with Bregman and his camp, they can't put all their eggs into one basket. A new name has been linked to the Cubs as a fallback option. Some linked the Cubs to it earlier in the season, and it makes sense as a backup first- and third-base option for Justin Turner. Hearing the now 40-year-old's name linked to the Cubs may not be as big of a surprise as you would think, as the Cubs have tried to land him several times in the past few offseasons. Given his veteran leadership and role as a clubhouse leader, Turner is the perfect fit for this team on a one-year contract. He will hold this entire locker room accountable. Adding Turner isn't going to excite a ton of fans, but he is the perfect player for this team and is your typical free-agent pickup this late in the season. Knowing that he has experience at first, third, and DH, Turner is one of those guys that Counsell can be flexible with, as he could be used in several scenarios to get into the lineup. That is the key to these Turner conversations, as the Cubs would need to find a way to get his bat in the lineup. Not the .290-.300 he once was several years ago. No one would expect him to be at this stage in his career, but with a .268 average the past two seasons, age hasn't slowed him down quite yet. Look at last season, for example, where Turner hit .259, connecting for 11 homers and 55 RBIs in what was seen as a platoon role. If that is the type of production you can expect from him as more of a part-time player, any team would be calling him, but you never know when Father Time will catch up, which makes this signing risky should you make it. Knowing that Busch is a lefty and the Cubs don't have an actual backup behind him, Turner would instantly become his backup at first and give the Cubs a solid lefty/righty rotation. You then look at third, where Shaw will have a long leash at the hot corner but will still struggle and need days off. Although average to even below average at third, Turner is a guy who wouldn't hesitate to fill in at third and will do what is asked of him. Of course, it all comes down to the financials with the Cubs, as they don't want to pass the 241 million Luxury Tax. While they have the money to land Bregman or Turner and stay under the tax, Turner will come much cheaper and leave the door open for other additional pieces before the season starts.
