Dave Dombrowski says there’s ‘no guarantee’ that Trea Turner is the Phillies’ future shortstop

While discussing Trea Turner’s future on 94.1 WIP on Thursday, Dave Dombrowski made it clear that Turner isn’t necessarily locked in at shortstop for the remainder of his contract.

“When we signed [Turner], we signed him as a shortstop,” Dombrowski said. “But if we don’t think Trea Turner is capable of playing good shortstop… no, we’d move him off of shortstop. That would be the way it is.”

Well, well, well.

For months, it was widely believed that Turner had a de facto guarantee to stay at shortstop for the duration of his 11-year, $300 million deal. But if that’s not the case, it opens up a ton of possibilities—and let’s be honest, Turner’s glove is a problem.

Trea Turner’s Defensive Metrics Are Brutal

Turner posted -14 defensive runs saved (DRS) in 2024, which was second-worst among all MLB shortstops according to FanGraphs. That’s not exactly the kind of defensive performance you want from the guy anchoring your middle infield for the next nine seasons.

Sure, his offense is elite when he’s rolling, but if the Phillies are serious about fielding the best possible lineup, moving Turner could be the key to unlocking it.

Where Else Could Trea Turner Play?

If Turner isn’t a long-term answer at shortstop, then what?

1. Move Him to the Outfield
   Turner has 45 career games in center field and enough speed to cover ground out there. The Phillies have been looking for a right-handed bat in the outfield anyway. Instead of hoping Wes Wilson, Austin Hays, or some trade deadline acquisition fills that void, why not slide Turner into the role? That move would let Edmundo Sosa or Bryson Stott play shortstop, while strengthening the overall lineup.
2. Move Him to Second Base
   Turner has 91 career games at second, and there’s been some buzz about him swapping positions with Bryson Stott. Stott’s elite glove at second could transition smoothly to short, and Turner’s bat would still play at second base.
3. Keep Him at SS… But Have an Exit Plan
   If Turner bounces back defensively in 2025, maybe this is all moot. But if he struggles again, Dombrowski’s comments suggest the Phillies are willing to have that tough conversation about a position change.

The Bigger Picture

Dombrowski’s comments aren’t just about Turner—they’re about flexibility.

If the Phillies aren’t married to Turner at short, it means they can be more aggressive in developing Aidan Miller as a true shortstop instead of forcing him to third base. It also means they can be open to trades and free agent signings that wouldn’t have been possible if Turner was set in stone at shortstop.

Aidan Miller is the future

"I don't want to jinx it, but he looks like a big league shortstop out there right now."

The @Phillies' Aidan Miller (MLB No. 54) earned high praise after a big offensive night for the @Threshers: https://t.co/nh2odDAhVh pic.twitter.com/RJH0mkv0tg

— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) May 9, 2024

This doesn’t mean Turner is out as the Phillies’ shortstop for 2025. But it does mean the team is open to changes if necessary. And with how Dombrowski operates, that’s a conversation worth keeping an eye on.

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