MLB Rumors: Top 3 Landing Spots For Trea Turner

Certainly one of —if not the — top hitter in baseball, Trea Turner does it all: power, speed to burn, run production (100 RBIs in 2022) and a wonderful hit tool (.302 lifetime average, .355 on-base). He's clearly the 2nd-best hitter on the market (after Aaron Judge).

He liked his time in Los Angeles, and could be willing to stay, but there are murmurs that he'd prefer to play back East. 

It'll take a long-term deal, and close to $300M to win his services; let's have a look at the three top potential landing spots for this All-Star, if he leaves LA.

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies appear to be in the lead heading into the clubhouse. There are reports that this is a team that Turner has said he'd like to go to. 

Trea Turner to the Phillies? @jaysonst on 97.5 The Fanatic just now.

“There’s some interesting rumblings Trea Turner wants to be here.”

Video: @NBCSPhilly pic.twitter.com/IQT8PX8CdC

— David Grzybowski (@DavidGrzyTV) November 9, 2022

“There’s some interesting rumblings Trea Turner wants to be here," reported MLB Insider Jayson Stark of The Athletic.  

And why not? A team coming off a World Series appearance, there'd be plenty of offensive firepower around him, and from the Phillies' perspective, shortstop and leadoff are prime spots they'd like to take to a new level. 

San Francisco Giants

Like the Phillies, the Giants are said to have unlimited spending ability this offseason, and will be aggressive on the open market. Their first big push will be for Aaron Judge, but if it becomes apparent that they can't land him, they will quickly pivot and push hard for one of the big shortstops, and Turner makes the most sense. His speed/power/on-base combination makes him an ideal fit for a Gabe Kapler team, and would immediately help to improve their lineup in every way.

Boston Red Sox

It's appearing more and more like the Red Sox are going to have trouble keeping Xander Bogaerts in town. The two sides are said to be still far apart in negotiations, and if that's the case, the BoSox are going to need to pivot and make an all-out effort to secure another star shortstop both to save face and to save their lineup. Turner offers the speed factor that Bogaerts doesn't, with an equal amount of power. It'll mean spending a bit more, but this could be a great pivot for Boston. It also matches Turner's supposed desire to play in the East. 

Don't count out the St. Louis Cardinals, or even the Baltimore Orioles or Chicago Cubs to make a play. But the Dodgers will be fighting hard to keep their All-Star as well.

Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports