What more could a Phillies fan want from the team in reference to the signings that have been made in the last couple of days by the team? It’s a true Christmas present that has been placed under the Phillies fan’s tree. First, we get perhaps the best free-agent shortstop in the game, arguably of course Trea Turner.
Embed from Getty ImagesI really have never followed Trea Turner’s career all that closely. I knew of his playing with the Nationals and then going to the Dodgers but he wasn’t a player that was on my radar as far as seeing what he was doing with the teams he was on.
Embed from Getty ImagesTurner hit a solid 21 HR and drove in 100 RBI last year, he had a 4.9 WAR for the blue crew. Let’s take a look at some of his numbers over the years:
Year | Tm | G | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | WSN | 27 | 40 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | .225 |
2016 | WSN | 73 | 307 | 105 | 14 | 8 | 13 | 40 | 33 | .342 |
2017 | WSN | 98 | 412 | 117 | 24 | 6 | 11 | 45 | 46 | .284 |
2018 | WSN | 162 | 664 | 180 | 27 | 6 | 19 | 73 | 43 | .271 |
2019 | WSN | 122 | 521 | 155 | 37 | 5 | 19 | 57 | 35 | .298 |
2020 | WSN | 59 | 233 | 78 | 15 | 4 | 12 | 41 | 12 | .335 |
2021 | TOT | 148 | 595 | 195 | 34 | 3 | 28 | 77 | 32 | .328 |
2021 | WSN | 96 | 388 | 125 | 17 | 3 | 18 | 49 | 21 | .322 |
2021 | LAD | 52 | 207 | 70 | 17 | 0 | 10 | 28 | 11 | .338 |
2022 | LAD | 160 | 652 | 194 | 39 | 4 | 21 | 100 | 27 | .298 |
8 Yr | 8 Yr | 849 | 3424 | 1033 | 191 | 36 | 124 | 434 | 230 | .302 |
162 | 162 | 162 | 653 | 197 | 36 | 7 | 24 | 83 | 44 | .302 |
WSN | WSN | 637 | 2565 | 769 | 135 | 32 | 93 | 306 | 192 | .300 |
LAD | LAD | 212 | 859 | 264 | 56 | 4 | 31 | 128 | 38 | .307 |
So Turner should be a bright spot for the Phillies next season, and he will add a much-needed pop in the offense as he is very reliable at the plate. A real upgrade to the Phillies lineup, and it did come at a price of course. An 11-year, $300M contract for Turner. For the first time ever the Phillies have two players on the team that is making $300M or more on the team.
Embed from Getty ImagesAdding to the mix for pitching the Phils picked up a solid pitcher in Taijuan Walker, formerly of the Mets. It should be a great signing as well. Walker is a solid pitcher and it was curious to see why the Mets let him walk away from the team.
Embed from Getty ImagesWalker is going to add a much-needed starting pitcher that will be able to pitch for some innings. Walker was 12-5 in 29 starts last year for the Mets. He’s a veteran that knows how to win. He did slip a little in 2021, with a 7-11 record with a 4.47 ERA
Main photo: By All-Pro Reels from District of Columbia, USA – Trea Turner throws it around the horn after an Eric Fedde strikeout from Nationals vs. Diamondbacks at Nationals Park, April 17th, 2021 (All-Pro Reels Photography), CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=104621053