The Philadelphia Phillies have landed a coveted star shortstop. The Phillies and his two-time All-Star Treasurer have agreed to an 11-year contract worth $300 million. ESPN reportedThe team has yet to confirm the signature. The contract contains a complete no-deal clause and no opt-out clause.
A deal with the defending National League champions will reunite Turner with 2015-18 Washington Nationals teammate Bryce Harper. Harper even said in August, “Turner is my favorite player in the league. He’s not even close.” In recent weeks, Harper may have approached Turner’s front office in Philadelphia. Turner also played with Kyle Schwarber for the Nationals in 2021 before they were both traded to Deadline.
An 11-year term has an average annual value of $27.3 million, which is significant. This is because the Competitiveness Balance Tax (CBT) salary is calculated using the average annual value. Turner could have likely secured more than $30 million a year on a shorter-term deal, but extending it over 11 years would give the Phillies more breathing room in terms of CBT in the near future. can.
Turner, 29, is one of the most exciting players in the sport. 298/.343/.466 in 30 attempts with 39 doubles, 21 home runs and 27 steals. was recorded. Turner has been worth his 5.7 WARs per 162 games in his career. He’s a bona fide superstar.
Perhaps Turner will take over at shortstop, with Bryson Stott sliding to second base, his expected long-term position. Stott has played well enough as a rookie for 2022, especially after Rob Thomson took over as manager, but players like Turner don’t play often, and the Phillies are in the World Series out of his window. Right in the middle, Stott will change positions.
Our RJ Anderson ranked Turner the 4th best free agent available this offseason Shortstop second only to Carlos Correa. Here is what he wrote:
Turner has been the second best shortstop hitter in the majors for the past three seasons, and has higher OPS+ than all players except Fernando Tatis Jr. He is a dynamic offensive his player and an elite his grade runner with above average power, capable of taking 20-20 shots each season. Turner has an aggressive approach at bat, and while he’s widening his zone quickly, it hasn’t worked against him yet. In addition, his missed shot is also a chance to hit the infield. Of more concern in Turner’s game is his defense. He committed 16 errors last season. (Correa, Xander Bogaerts, and Dansby Swanson together make up 26.) Error is an imperfect measure, but it’s reasonable to assume he might need to slide to the other side of the bag in the future (his is a position I am already familiar with and have played). In honor of Corey Seager). Regardless, Turner has been a very productive hitter throughout his career, and there’s no reason to expect that to change anytime soon.
As good as Turner is, he’s good, but keep in mind that speed usually doesn’t age. Excluding his 60-game pandemic season in 2020, Turner’s stolen base attempts went from his 54 in 2017 to 52 (2018), 40 (2019), 37 (2021), 30 (2022). and is gradually decreasing. While he’s done enough else to remain an elite player, he’s starting to age as a stolen base threat.
FanGraphs currently estimates Philadelphia’s 2023 CBT salary at $217.8 million, below the $233 million threshold. The Phillies are still considering adding at least one starting pitcher of his, not to mention bullpen help and general depth. Rhys Hoskins and Aaron Nora are one year out of free agency, and the club could consider an extension with both.
Turner turned down a $19.6 million qualifying offer earlier this offseason. In 2022, he paid CBT, so the Phillies lost his second-highest pick in the 2023 draft and his fifth-highest pick, giving them international bonus money to sign Turner during the 2024 signing period. Lose $1 million. The Dodgers would receive his pick in the compensatory draft after his four rounds in Turner because they also paid for CBT.