Why Phillies Should Make a Run at Trea Turner amid Latest MLB Free-Agency Rumors

Major League Baseball's free agency window officially opened on Thursday, and the defending NL champion Philadelphia Phillies may be after one of the market's biggest stars.

With Philadelphia declining Jean Segura’s $17 million club option, they appear to be in on this year's impressive crop of shortstops—a group that includes Trea Turner, Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts and Dansby Swanson.

Specifically, the Phillies were linked to Turner at the recent general managers meeting, and the interest may be mutual.

"A lot of people at the meetings believe the Phillies are perhaps the most likely landing spot of all for Trea Turner," MLB Network's Jon Morosi said on Hot Stove. "Let's begin with his close friendship with Bryce Harper going back to their time with the Nationals. That is one element here where Trea would love to play with Bryce again."

John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia echoed the idea that Turner may be interested in joining Philadelphia.

"There's some interesting rumblings that he wants to be here," Clark told 97.5 The Fanatic.

While this part feels more speculative, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported last month that the East Coast is Turner's "supposed geographic preference." If that's accurate, then it's another reason why Philadelphia would make sense for the 29-year-old.

Now, adding Turner would be a costly move on a couple of fronts. For starters, the two-time All-Star and Silver Slugger Award-winner will command a hefty contract. According to Spotrac, he has an estimated market value of #33.6 million annually.

Secondly, the Los Angeles Dodgers have extended a qualifying offer to Turner. If Turner signs it, he'll receive a one-year, $19.65 million deal. If he signs elsewhere, the Dodgers will receive draft compensation.

As a franchise that paid the competitive balance tax in 2022, Philadelphia would have to forfeit its second- and fifth-highest draft picks, plus $1 million in international bonus money. That's not nothing.

Still, adding Turner would be a great move for the Phillies, who just made a surprising run to Game 6 of the World Series.

Turner would be an immediate upgrade over—and a younger option than—the 32-year-old Segura. This past season, Turner hit .298 with 21 home runs and 100 RBI to go with 27 stolen bases. He'd add some punch to the Phillies' offense, both at the plate and on the bases.

Turner led the National League in stolen bases in both 2018 and 2021.

Philadelphia does still have Bryson Stott at short, but he's versatile enough to shift over to second base to make room for Turner.

"We have a young player in Stott that we really like a lot," President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski told reporters. "He can play short or second."

Adding Turner wouldn't require any messy roster shuffling, especially with Segura out of the picture. Philadelphia's window is wide open, and adding Turner would be the sort of win-now move that could help get the Phillies over that final postseason hurdle.

It's a move that Turner appears open to, and it's one that would further energize an already excited fanbase.

And if Philadelphia is interested in adding Turner, it must make a push to add him quickly. While the Dodgers did extend an offer, they may not be overly eager to lock up Turner long-term.

"The Dodgers informed Turner shortly before the start of the year they wouldn’t make him a formal offer, and there haven’t been any discussions between the two sides about an extension since," The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya wrote in September.

However, several other teams will be interested in inking Turner to a long-term deal. Morosi also mentioned the San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners and Baltimore Orioles as teams that could be interested.

Turner has until November 20 to accept or reject the qualifying offer from L.A. Philadelphia shouldn't wait until then to make a move. It should swing for Turner now, and if they can't land him on a sensible deal, they can quickly pivot to another of the market's top shortstops.