Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — So long, Trea. In a move that was pretty much anticipated, shortstop Trea Turner is now officially an ex-Dodger. According to multiple media reports, Turner will be hooking up with his old Nats teammate Bryce Harper in Philadelphia for a long time to come. Sources have the Turner deal worth north of $300 million and for eleven long years.
This ends the LA chapter in Turner’s career after about a year and a half. After being a throw-in on the deal for Max Scherzer, Turner did pretty much everything that was asked of him during his tenure in Dodger blue. In 2021, he became the first Dodger since Tommy Davis to win the batting title, and in 2022, he put up a .298/.343/.466 slash line with 100 RBI on the nose. Toss in 21 homers, 39 doubles, and 27 steals, and it’s easy to see why Turner was the starting shortstop for the NL All-Star team this year.
However, not all good things were meant to last, and the Turner deal is a perfect example of that. It’s not a matter of the Dodgers matching that offer. Andrew Friedman would be nuts to mortgage the farm on an eleven-year deal with Turner. Here’s why: more than other players, Turner is a rapidly diminishing asset. Much of his game is built on speed, and when year five or six of that contract rolls around, the Phillies are going to find themselves with a shadow of the player they had in year one. Which is okay if it were a six year deal, but with Turner’s deal, you’re stuck with the guy for another seven years.
Let’s face it. The Dodgers got Turner for probably the most fruitful time in his career. Even if he’s got some good years left (and I’m sure he does), it was wise to cut bait on this one when they did. There are other options at shortstop, and hopefully Friedman, et al will find one that doesn’t require such a ridiculous commitment as this deal did.
