Sports · Baseball · 6 hrs ago
Phillies Plan to Keep Trea Turner at Shortstop, but Demand Better Defense
The Philadelphia Phillies plan to start Trea Turner at shortstop in 2027, but say he must improve to stay there.
Turner, 33, had a difficult 2026 season, hitting .242 with 19 home runs and 58 RBIs.
His minus-17 defensive runs saved reflected poor fielding at shortstop.
Phillies president Dave Dombrowski said better defense is mandatory, and Turner will have to prove he can handle the position.
Turner had a much stronger 2025, when he led the National League with a .304 batting average.
The team could discuss moving him elsewhere if he does not improve; Turner has previously played in the outfield and at second base.
The Phillies were eliminated by the Braves in the Wild Card Series, and Don Mattingly was named their full-time manager for next season.
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Trea Turner will open the 2027 season at shortstop but must improve his defense to stay there.
Turner recorded minus-17 defensive runs saved at shortstop in 2026.
Dombrowski said Turner understands he must show he can play the position better.
Turner, 33, also had career-worst full-season marks in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS+ and wins above replacement, according to Fox Sports.
The Phillies also named Carlos Mendoza their new third base and infield coach.
- Who
- Phillies shortstop Trea Turner and team president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski.
- What
- Turner is set to start 2027 at shortstop, but must improve his defense to remain there.
- When
- Dombrowski made the announcement on Thursday, October 15, 2026; Turner is expected to open the 2027 season at shortstop.
- Where
- Philadelphia Phillies.
- Why
- Dombrowski said Turner’s 2026 defense was not good enough to keep playing shortstop if it does not improve.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Turner led the National League with a .304 batting average and recorded 5.4 wins above replacement, according to Fox Sports.
Turner recorded minus-17 defensive runs saved at shortstop and hit .242/.297/.378.
Dombrowski said Turner would open the 2027 season at shortstop but must improve to remain there.
- Turner’s age
- 33
- Contract
- 11 years, $300 million
- 2026 defensive runs saved
- Minus-17 at shortstop
- 2026 batting line
- .242/.297/.378
- New infield coach
- Carlos Mendoza
3 sources
What people are saying
He knows he has to be better at shortstop. And I told him that it's really mandatory that he’s like that
He cannot play shortstop like he did in 2026 going into 2027
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“He did not have a good year. He needs to fix things with his swing. He knows he has to be better at shortstop. I told him that is mandatory. I told him he cannot play shortstop like he did in 2026, going into 2027.” Dave Dombrowski told him if he plays shortstop like he did in