Nobody is talking about it, but the Philadelphia Phillies should definitely re-sign Spencer Turnbull

Let’s talk about Spencer Turnbull, the Phillies’ ultimate “what if” pitcher of 2024. The guy stepped in when Taijuan Walker went down in spring training and showed flashes of being exactly what the rotation needed.

For six starts, Turnbull was nails—1.67 ERA, opponents couldn’t touch him, and he even flirted with dominance against the White Sox in April, tossing seven innings of one-hit ball. But after Walker returned, Turnbull got bumped to the bullpen, and things went sideways from there.

Rob Thomson makes decision on Spencer Turnbull and Taijuan Walker, with really only one option available

Spencer Turnbull’s Hot Start to the 2024 MLB Season (13 games, 6 starts):

• 3-0
• 2.64 ERA
• 44.1 IP
• 0.970 WHIP
• 49 SO
• 12 BB
• 9.9 SO9
• .189 BA against
• 1.2 WPA
• 0.8 WAR

A great thread on Spencer Turnbull from the 2024 MLB season:

Spencer Turnbull, The Free Agent Starter No One is Talking About:

A thread🪡🧵 pic.twitter.com/rjLtcKNHe8

— Stats by Tim (@TimStats) December 12, 2024

Now that we’re deep into the offseason, you’d think his name would come up more when talking about 2025 rotation depth. But it hasn’t. Not a peep. No buzz. And that’s probably because of one thing: injuries.

Turnbull’s time with the Phillies was a rollercoaster. He was lights out as a starter, shaky in relief, and then sidelined with a lat strain after one start back in late June. He missed the entire second half of the season and didn’t make the postseason roster, even after getting healthy.

Spencer Turnbull, Dirty 85mph Sweeper. 😨 pic.twitter.com/UIxb6HAT2b

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 19, 2024

His injury history isn’t exactly new, either—this is a guy who’s spent a good chunk of his career battling various ailments. It’s hard to rely on someone like that, even when they show flashes of brilliance.

Still, it’s hard not to wonder what could’ve been if Turnbull had stayed healthy. He had the stuff to be a solid back-end starter, and the Phillies desperately needed someone like that when they cycled through five different depth starters in the second half.

Spencer Turnbull’s 7 Strikeouts from last nights win against the Cincinnati Reds. pic.twitter.com/2ejzHIMlL5

— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) April 3, 2024

Instead, Spencer Turnbull’s season ended as quietly as the buzz around him now.

If I’m the Phillies, I’d love to see Turnbull return on a team-friendly deal. Let’s be real: the upside is there. You can’t teach the kind of stuff he showed in April. But with his health concerns, he’s probably not the guy you count on for 30 starts.

Bring him back as a low-risk option and focus your offseason attention elsewhere. The Phillies have bigger fish to fry this winter, whether it’s locking down another starter, shoring up the bullpen, or adding some pop to the lineup.

Turnbull’s situation is a tough one. He’s got talent, but his body just hasn’t cooperated. If he’s willing to take a prove-it deal, maybe the Phillies can give him another shot. Until then, all we’ve got are those six starts from early 2024 and a big, unanswered “what if.”

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