Report: Former Mariners 1B Justin Turner finds new landing spot

Feb 18, 2025, 11:50 AM

BY JAY COHEN

The Associated Press

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Former Seattle Mariners first baseman 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.

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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.

Turner played the final two months of last season with the Mariners after they acquired him from Toronto at the trade deadline. He hit .264 with five home runs and seven doubles in 48 games with Seattle.

The addition of Turner would give the Cubs 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 batted .259 with 11 homers, 55 RBIs and a .354 on-base percentage in 139 games with Toronto and Seattle last year.

“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.

Seattle Sports staff made additions to this post.