Jon Morosi: Trea Turner would love to play with Bryce Harper again
Major League Baseball free agency officially begins today, and we have more rumblings about Trea Turner and his desire to play in Philadelphia with Bryce Harper.
On MLB Network this morning, Jon Morosi spoke to the crew from the MLB General Manager meetings in Las Vegas about top free agent Trea Turner and his desire to come to Philadelphia and play with former Nationals teammate Bryce Harper.
Jon Morosi: Trea Turner would like to play with Bryce Harper again
Originally tweeted by MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) on November 10, 2022.
“A lot of people here at the meetings believe the Phillies are perhaps the most likely landing spot of all…Trea would love to play with Bryce again.”
The 2022 free agent shortstop class is possibly the strongest in the history of baseball. All four of the premiere free agent shortstops in the class of 2022 have won a World Series Championship with the original teams and posted above 5 WAR last season.
As the Phillies declined the $17M option for Jean Segura in 2023, there’s no doubt that they will be in play for one of the four star shortstops that are on the market this offseason. Trea Turner highlights that list, along with Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts, and Dansby Swanson.
Ranking Top 4 Shortstops in Free Agency >>
Trea Turner, SS, Dodgers, age 29
Trea Turner is widely considered to be the best shortstop available on the market this winter. It also helps the Phillies given the fact that he is reportedly great friends with Bryce Harper and that their wives are close.
There is little question as to whether Turner is one of the best all around hitters in the game. He is also incredibly consisting having posted between 2.8 and 4.9 WAR in each of the last 7 seasons. Turner averages a whopping 44 stolen bases a season for his career and between his speed on the base paths and above average defensive work at short he would certainly make the Phillies a better ball club next season.
It’s honestly difficult to find something not to like about Turner when he plays. How can you not want to add a guy that projects to hit around .300? The two-time All-Star hit .328 in 2021 to win the National League batting title and can also play second base and center field if need be, providing the Phillies with added positional flexibility.
His playing style and demeanor would also fit perfectly in Philadelphia and he has clearly documented that he can play winning baseball as evidenced by his World Series title with the Nationals in 2019 and his time on the Dodgers.
Trea Turner 2022 Numbers
- .298/.343/.466
- 21 HR, 101 RBI, 101 R
- OPS+ 121
- WAR 4.9
Trea Turner Career:
- .302/.355/.487 (122 OPS+)
- 124 HR
- 29.7 WAR in 849 G
Read More: The Ideal Offseason for the Philadelphia Phillies >>
