The Philadelphia Phillies are back to square one after a tough NLDS loss to the New York Mets. Despite the undeniable talent on the roster, Dave Dombrowski and Rob Thomson haven’t yet found the right formula to push the team over the World Series hurdle. With their competitive window not lasting forever, the pressure is mounting.
Criticism is being spread around after the Mets series, with nearly everyone sharing some responsibility. The bullpen struggled badly in the playoffs, although this seems more like an anomaly given how dominant Jeff Hoffman, Matt Strahm, and Orion Kerkering were during the regular season, which is a better measure of their performance. The offense, however, was notably sluggish, which many point to as a key reason for the team’s downfall.
While the Phillies started the season strong, they experienced some unexpected slumps after the All-Star break. In the postseason, New York’s pitchers seemed to have all the answers for Philadelphia’s star-studded lineup. The outfield has been a weak spot throughout the season, and there could be significant lineup adjustments and depth chart improvements before the 2025 season.
One notable potential change involves All-Star shortstop Trea Turner, whose defensive performance has steadily declined since joining the Phillies. While his bat remains productive, his glove and arm have been liabilities. Once a Gold Glove contender, Turner ended the 2024 season in the 25th percentile for outs above average (-3) and the 32nd percentile for arm strength. In short, he has become a weak link in Philadelphia’s defense.
Though the Phillies’ front office hasn’t prioritized elite defense in the past, a position change for Turner might be necessary. However, his $300 million contract could complicate such a move.
Trea Turner’s contract could prevent Phillies from pulling the plug at shortstop
It’s clear the Phillies won’t remove Trea Turner from the starting lineup, nor should they, but a position change could benefit everyone involved. Shifting Turner to a less demanding spot, like the outfield or second base, could relieve some of the defensive pressure, while Bryson Stott, currently a stronger infielder, could take over at shortstop. Stott’s defensive prowess could solidify the infield, making it a straightforward solution—though, of course, reality makes the situation more complicated.
On *The Phillies Show*, this potential balancing act for manager Rob Thomson was highlighted around the 2:16 mark. Moving Stott to shortstop would immediately upgrade the team’s defense. Even if the only change is moving Turner to second base, this shift alone could marginally boost the Phillies’ competitiveness in the National League.
Planting Turner in the outfield is an even more intriguing idea. It would help address Philadelphia’s inconsistency in offensive production from the outfield. Pairing Turner with Nick Castellanos in the corners, while using Brandon Marsh, Johan Rojas, and Austin Hays in center field, suddenly gives the Phils a well-rounded outfield rotation. This setup becomes even more potent if Philadelphia manages to trade for a top-tier centerfielder like Luis Robert Jr., who has been a rumored target. In that case, the Phillies could boast one of the best outfield units in the MLB.
Additionally, moving Turner would create room for top prospect Aidan Miller, who could claim a roster spot. Although Dave Dombrowski has said the 20-year-old likely isn’t ready yet, the opportunity would at least be there. Miller is known for his strong bat and versatility, as he can play either shortstop or second base, depending on Stott’s best fit.
If Miller isn’t quite ready, shifting Turner to the outfield would give the Phillies more flexibility to explore other high-caliber infield options this offseason, such as Willy Adames or Gleyber Torres. It would also free up room for potential outfield investments. Removing Turner from shortstop would open up more possibilities for roster building.
However, as Jim Salisbury points out on *The Phillies Show*, Turner’s $300 million contract likely came with an implicit expectation that he would be the Phillies’ starting shortstop. After all, Turner turned down more money from the Padres to play with friends in Philadelphia, and he probably enjoys being in such a premier defensive position.
Still, if Turner is open to a move, the Phillies should seize the opportunity. The responsibility to make it happen falls on Rob Thomson, who may need to do some convincing to make it work.
