Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Phils welcome Turner after finalizing $300M deal

Written by 
Published in Baseball
Thursday, 08 December 2022 16:07

PHILADELPHIA -- Bryce Harper lobbed Philadelphia's first recruiting pitch over the summer when the injured All-Star used a guest stint in the broadcast booth to advocate for future free agent and former Washington teammate Trea Turner.

"Trea Turner, he's my favorite player in the league," Harper said. "Not even close."

Harper and Turner have been reunited by the National League champion Phillies for the upcoming season and well beyond. Turner's $300 million, 11-year contract with the Phillies was finalized Thursday, a deal that'll take the 29-year-old shortstop and 2021 NL batting champion into his 40s.

A long-term risk, perhaps, for the Phillies, but one owner John Middleton and president Dave Dombrowski were willing to take with the Phillies' championship window open for the next few seasons. Harper still has nine years left on his $330 million, 11-year free agent deal, though he could miss at least two months as he recovers from elbow surgery.

Turner can certainly help steady a lineup that lost a combined a no-hitter to the Houston Astros in the World Series and lost in six games -- and likely from the top of the order, knocking free-swinging NL home run champ Kyle Schwarber down a spot or two.

Schwarber, who struck out 200 times, did steal a career-high 10 bases. Turner, though, has led the league in steals twice and had 27 last season.

"He stole a lot of bases last year. He's kind of coming around there," Turner said with a laugh. "I don't know if I want to kick him out of there."

Turner hit .298 with 21 homers and a career-high 100 RBIs this year in his first full season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He also scored 101 runs.

"We pictured playing with Bryce and Schwarber and a lot of those guys on the team now," Turner said at Citizens Bank Park. "It just seemed like a lot of things added up and pointed us in this direction."

A lot of things. Like money. Turner gets salaries of $27,272,727 in each of the next 10 seasons and $27,272,730 in 2033. He also will make a $100,000 annual contribution to Phillies charities. His deal includes a full no-trade provision.

Turner and his family met with Dombrowski, general manager Sam Fuld and manager Rob Thomson last month in Florida. Turner had other suitors and turned down at least one richer offer to sign with Philadelphia.

"This place is fun to play," Turner said. "I watched a lot of playoff games and this place was rocking."

Dombrowski downplayed the decision to spend so much money on Turner, especially deep into his 30s, when players are traditionally on the downside of their careers.

"I do think sometimes you have to differentiate between a normal big league player and an elite athlete," Dombrowski said. "I do think there are some differences in that regard, too. We have done a lot of research in that regard. An elite athlete can last longer at the performance level than, say, other individuals can."

Bigger bases and restrictions on defensive positioning coming to the game next year likely enhanced the free agent market for Turner, because those are two changes that make his physical skills and defensive versatility more valuable.

He turned down a $19.65 million qualifying offer from the Dodgers in November, joining a stellar group of free agent shortstops that also included Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts and Dansby Swanson.

Turner broke into the majors with Washington in 2015. The two-time All-Star hit .300 with 192 steals in six-plus seasons with the Nationals, winning the World Series in 2019.

Turner and ace right-hander Max Scherzer were traded to the Dodgers in a multiplayer deal at the 2021 trade deadline. Turner hit .338 with 10 homers and 11 steals down the stretch, and Los Angeles made it to the NL Championship Series before being eliminated by Atlanta.

Turner is a .302 hitter with 124 homers, 434 RBIs and 230 steals in 849 games. He has spent most of his career at shortstop, but he also has made starts at second base and in center field.

He would earn $50,000 each for making the All-Star team, winning a Gold Glove or earning a Silver Slugger. He would get $500,000 for winning an MVP award, $50,000 for placing second and $25,000 for third. Turner also would earn $100,000 for a World Series MVP award and $50,000 for an NLCS MVP designation.

Turner and Harper played with the Washington Nationals from 2015 to '18. Harper, who won an NL MVP award with each team, texted Turner in the offseason and served as a sounding board for questions he had about Philly.

Turner had one on Thursday: Where's the best place to eat? He'll have 11 years to sample all of Philly's cuisine.

Read 215 times

Soccer

Arsenal fan banned 3 years for online Partey abuse

Arsenal fan banned 3 years for online Partey abuse

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsA fan who racially abused Arsenal player Thomas Partey in a social...

Mascherano appointed as new Inter Miami coach

Mascherano appointed as new Inter Miami coach

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsInter Miami confirmed the appointment of former Liverpool, Barcelon...

Pulisic, Abraham earn Milan 3rd-straight UCL win

Pulisic, Abraham earn Milan 3rd-straight UCL win

AC Milan earned their third successive Champions League win with a 3-2 victory at Slovan Bratislava...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Kings coach Brown fined $35K for pursuing ref

Kings coach Brown fined $35K for pursuing ref

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSacramento Kings coach Mike Brown was fined $35,000 by the NBA on T...

Sixers' Emibiid, George out for Wed. vs. Rockets

Sixers' Emibiid, George out for Wed. vs. Rockets

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Philadelphia 76ers said Tuesday that Joel Embiid, Paul George a...

Baseball

Dodgers split $46M from record MLB playoff pool

Dodgers split $46M from record MLB playoff pool

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- A full postseason share for the World Series champion L...

Starter or reliever? Stay with the Phillies or go elsewhere? All-Star Jeff Hoffman opens up on free agency

Starter or reliever? Stay with the Phillies or go elsewhere? All-Star Jeff Hoffman opens up on free agency

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsJeff Hoffman is one of the most sought-after relievers in this offs...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated