The Philadelphia Phillies are now in the final stretch before the MLB trade deadline, and the issues they face go deeper than just finding another hitter or relief pitcher.
After riding a wave of momentum under interim manager Don Mattingly, the team has stumbled out of the All-Star break, and that downturn has forced tougher questions about just how viable this veteran superstar core truly is for a deep run. With most of the roster underperforming over the last few weeks, shortstop Trea Turner has drawn an unusual amount of attention.
Philadelphia Phillies Deliver Blunt Trea Turner Reality Check as Trade Deadline Approaches
Turner’s time in Philadelphia has been a roller coaster since he signed that massive 11-year, $300 million deal.
He’s gone through extended cold streaks at the plate before, but now his defensive reliability at shortstop is also being doubted. He currently leads the majors with 19 errors on the season.
And recently, the Phillies made it clear just how damaging his defensive issues have become for the entire club.
“Right now he’s in a bad place,” infield coach Bobby Dickerson told The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Scott Lauber. “And it puts us all in a bad place, really.”
Phillies Tied to Major Shortstop Trade Target as Trea Turner Continues to Falter
Dickerson’s candid assessment arrives at the same time the team has been connected to a notable shortstop upgrade available via trade.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan recently mentioned on SportsCenter that Angels shortstop Zach Neto is a name to watch, noting that the Phillies “have had conversations” with Los Angeles about a possible deal.
Passan suggested that bringing in Neto would likely require moving Turner to second base, which could mean shifting Bryson Stott out of the lineup or relocating him to the outfield to ease some defensive demands.
Whether that kind of blockbuster move actually comes together is still unclear. But Dickerson’s open remarks make one thing plain: the Phillies see Turner’s current defensive trouble as a problem that reaches well beyond just his own performance.
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