MESA, Ariz. — Craig Counsell confirmed Monday what we’ve known: Matt Shaw would have pole position to earn the Opening Day third base role.

“It’s time for Matt to go out and play,” Counsell said at Sloan Park. “Matt’s passed a lot of tests. He’s a talented young player.

“The message is, Matt’s got a shot at it. There’s no question about it. He’s squarely in the mix. He is going to get the first shot at it.”

[Matt Shaw, Alex Bregman and where the Cubs stand at third base]

But the Cubs have also made it no secret that they’d be in the market for upgrades in case Shaw isn’t ready. And an All-Star and World Series champion could be an option.

The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney and Ken Rosenthal, citing league sources, reported the team has discussed signing free agent Justin Turner if Alex Bregman — another reported Cubs target — signed elsewhere. The Athletic reported that the team remains interested in both players.

In parts of 16 seasons, Turner is a lifetime .285/.363/.458 (.821 OPS) hitter with 198 home runs and 814 RBI. Last season, he split the year with Toronto and Seattle, hitting .259 with a .737 OPS, 11 home runs and 55 RBI. The 40-year-old also could man first base as a backup to Michael Busch if Shaw is ready at third base.

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“Unclear,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said at his press conference to open spring on Sunday. “You always look for opportunity. Right now, we have a meeting this afternoon and we’re gonna focus on the guys who are in camp, that’s the plan.

“I think offseasons have drifted later, whether it’s waiver claims, trades and free agent signings. Things happen a little bit later now. But given that it’s February 9th, we’ll focus on the guys that are here.”

[Jed Hoyer: ‘Unclear’ if Cubs will make another addition before MLB Opening Day]

If Shaw isn’t ready, Counsell has said that Jon Berti (who was signed as a free agent last month), Vidal Bruján (acquired from the Marlins for Matt Mervis) and Rule-5 draft pick Gage Workman would be options at the hot corner.