Justin Turner won’t be returning to the Red Sox after all.
Turner lingered in MLB free agency for over three months following a 2024 season split between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Seattle Mariners. And a report last week claimed Boston had a level of interest in reuniting with the 40-year-old, who was a big bright spot for the club in the 2023 campaign.
The two-time All-Star is set to return to the National League, though, as The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney on Tuesday reported the Cubs are finalizing a one-year, $6 million deal with Turner. The reported agreement was made exactly a week after a separate report claimed Turner and his wife, Kourtney, were “intrigued” by the idea of spending the 2025 season in Chicago.
By adding Turner, the Cubs brought on a veteran right-handed hitter with great leadership skills. Chicago reportedly looked into checking those boxes with more impactful players, but Alex Bregman signed with the Red Sox and Nolan Arenado appears set to open the season with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Boston will be able to reunite with Turner in mid-July when Alex Cora leads his club into Wrigley Field for a three-game series.
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Featured image via Steven Bisig/Imagn Images
