According to reports, the Chicago Cubs could be ready to make a big splash at shortstop this offseason by making an offer to current Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Trea Turner. Additionally, Turner is reportedly interested in taking his talent to the North Side as well next season.
Chicago Cubs rumors: Trea Turner and Cubs have mutual interest in each other for the 2023 season and beyond
David Kaplan of NBC Sports Chicago has reported that Turner is “definitely interested” in the Chicago Cubs, and that the Cubs are “mutually interested in Trea Turner” as well. So it’s a match made in heaven, right? Well, not so fast. Turner has said that he wants to know what Chicago management’s plan is to rebuild the Cubs into a winner if he is indeed going to sign with the team on a long-term deal.
“You need to know how the next few years look and how that pertains to you and your family and your career,” Turner said when asked about knowing the long-term plan for the Cubs. “It’s definitely a factor in picking a team.”
The 29-year-old Turner was traded from the Washington Nationals to the Dodgers along with Max Scherzer at the 2021 MLB trade deadline and is on a one-year, $22 million deal this season. Heading into Thursday’s action, Turner is slashing .305/.350/.488 as part of his second All-Star season.
Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts has said that his team will be “aggressive” in the offseason and recently said that his plan is to “build that core of players that will be part of the next great team and then supplementing them with the right free agents at the right time.” Could Turner be one of those free agents?
While the Cubs still haven’t technically been eliminated from 2022 postseason play, it’s clear that thoughts in Wrigleyville are already turning to how the team can be better in 2023. Turner could certainly be a cornerstone player in Chicago as the Cubs try to get back to the top of the National League Central standings, so expect rumors connecting the two sides to continue into the offseason.