Chicago Cubs to sign Justin Turner after whiffing on Alex Bregman: reports

CHICAGO - The Chicago Cubs will sign third-basemen Justin Turner to a one-year deal after failing to sign big-name free agent Alex Bregman, according to multiple reports.

Cubs to sign Justin Turner

By the numbers:

The Athletic's Patrick Mooney reported the Cubs are finalizing a one-year, $6 million deal with Turner.

Turner, 40, split time between the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners last season, posting a .259 batting average with 11 home runs in 460 at-bats.

The two-time all-star was a longtime contributor to the Los Angeles Dodgers, including winning a World Series with the club in the 2020 season that was shortened by Covid-19.

Turner made his MLB debut in 2009 with the Baltimore Orioles. He is a career .285 hitter with 198 homers, 814 RBIs and an .821 OPS in 1,678 games. He also spent with the Mets and Red Sox.

Cubs outfielder Ian Happ told reporters that he's been a "fan of his for a long time" and relayed his excitement when talking about Turner.

"The way he plays the game, I think he’s a natural hitter," Happ said Tuesday. "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."

Behind Turner at third base, the Cubs will have up-and-coming prospect Matt Shaw. Turner will have a chance to tutor Shaw, who the Cubs will look to as the future at third base, but having the veteran presence of Turner there will help.

"Just his experience, and he’s just such a pro at what he does," Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson told reporters Tuesday. "He’s somebody that you definitely want to have on your team."

Missing out on Bregman

The backstory:

The Cubs reportedly offered Bregman a four-year-deal that was worth $115 million and included opt-out clauses following the 2026 and 2027 seasons. They lost out to the Boston Red Sox who reportedly inked the former Astros star to a three-year, $120 million deal.

After missing out on Bregman, the Cubs pivoted to Turner.

Cubs president Jed Hoyer said he had no regrets after Bregman passed on the offer to play in Chicago, acknowledging the Cubs were competitive and made their best effort.

"We made the best offer that we could make," Hoyer told reporters on Thursday. "Within the structure and our finances, we made the best offer we could make."