Trea Turner, Phillies (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Grading the four biggest moves the Philadelphia Phillies have made this offseason.
The defending National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies aren’t going to settle for one trip to the World Series and a loss. They’ve had one of the better offseasons in Major League Baseball. The moves they have made are, without question, positive ones for the 2023 season and even beyond.
The team could still use a few more improvements before Opening Day arrives. Another arm for the rotation would make fans feel much better.
The four biggest moves they made were necessary. How do they grade out?
1) Phillies deserve high praise for the Trea Turner signing
There might not be too many better fits from this year’s free agency class than Trea Turner and the Phillies. He gives them a much-needed boost at shortstop. After a year of seeing Kyle Schwarber as the leadoff hitter, Turner can help give them a more natural fit to put at the top of the lineup.
Turner was probably the guy fans wanted to see the Phillies sign most. They didn’t wait long. He was the first of the big free agent shortstops to agree to a deal.
Shortstop has been a mostly vacant position in Philadelphia in recent years. Unnatural fits at the position like Scott Kingery or players past their prime such as Didi Gregorius have filled in.
The story has changed for the 2023 season and beyond. This signing deserves a big fat A. The only negative might be the amount of years. The 11-year deal worth $300 million will age as badly as any long-term contract. We’ll worry about that in the future. Phillies fans are eager for winning now.
Trea Turner signing grade: A