Cubs' Updated Lineup, Payroll After Justin Turner's Reported Contract in Free Agency

After failing to sign Alex Bregman in free agency, the Chicago Cubs were able to pivot by landing Justin Turner to boost their infield depth for the 2025 season.

Per ESPN's Jesse Rogers, Turner has agreed to a one-year, $6 million deal with the Cubs.

The Cubs entered the day with $185.6 million in salary commitments, so their payroll has now jumped up to $191.6 million. That ranks 11th in MLB, just behind the Los Angeles Angels ($194.8 million).

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Updated Cubs Lineup

Ian Happ, LF

Kyle Tucker, RF

Seiya Suzuki, DH

Michael Busch, 1B

Dansby Swanson, SS

Nico Hoerner, 2B

Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF

Matt Shaw, 3B

Miguel Amaya, C

Bench: Justin Turner, INF; Carson Kelly, C; Jon Berti, INF/OF; Alexander Canario, OF

Roster information via FanGraphs' Roster Resource.

The expectation is that Turner will primarily serve as the backup at first and third base this season.

Third base, in particular, is a position being watched closely by Cubs fans this spring. Matt Shaw, the No. 19 overall prospect by MLB.com, has the inside track to be the Opening Day starter.

Drafted with the 13th pick in 2023, Shaw has had a quick ascent through the minors. He has played at five different levels over the past two seasons, including finishing 2024 at Triple-A Iowa.

Shaw certainly seems poised to take on the starting job at the MLB level to open 2025. He hit .284/.379/.488 with 21 homers and 31 stolen bases in 121 games across two levels last season.

If the Cubs want to give Shaw more time in the minors to open the year, Turner is a capable fill-in at the hot corner. His defense isn't what it once was now that he's 40 years old, but he can still hit enough for the position.

Turner had a .259/.354/.383 slash line in 139 games between the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners last season.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell could also use Turner in a platoon role with Busch at first base. Even though Busch had near-equal splits against lefties and righties last season, his career OPS against left-handed pitching is .678.

Turner, by comparison, hit .252/.355/.403 in 141 plate appearances against left-handed pitching last year.

The addition of Turner is all about adding flexibility at the corners for the Cubs. Bregman would have been an ideal fit if he had chosen to sign with Chicago, but this is hardly a bad fallback plan for an organization that already added Kyle Tucker to the lineup earlier in the offseason.