Trea Turner, Phillies finalize 11-year, $300M contract
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bryce Harper lobbed Philadelphia’s first recruiting pitch over the summer season when the injured All-Star used a visitor stint within the broadcast sales space to advocate for the longer term free agent and his former Washington teammate.
“Trea Turner, he’s my favorite player in the league,” Harper mentioned. “Not even close.”
Harper and Turner have been reunited by the National League champion Phillies for the upcoming season and nicely past. 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.
An extended-term threat, maybe, for the Phillies, however one proprietor John Middleton and president Dave Dombrowski had been prepared to take with the Phillies’ championship window open for the subsequent few seasons. Harper nonetheless has 9 years left on his $330 million, 11-year free-agent deal, although he may miss not less than two months as he recovers from elbow surgical procedure.
Turner can definitely assist regular a lineup that misplaced a mixed a no-hitter to the Houston Astros within the World Series and misplaced in six video games — and certain from the highest of the order, knocking free-swinging NL dwelling run champ Kyle Schwarber down a spot or two.
Schwarber, who struck out 200 occasions, did steal a career-high 10 bases. Turner, although, has led the league in steals twice and had 27 final season.
“He stole a lot of bases last year. He’s kind of coming around there,” Turner mentioned with fun. “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 yr in his first full season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He additionally scored 101 runs.
“We pictured playing with Bryce and Schwarber and a lot of those guys on the team now,” Turner mentioned at Citizens Bank Park. “It just seemed like a lot of things added up and pointed us in this direction.”
Loads of issues. Like cash. Turner will get salaries of $27,272,727 in every of the subsequent 10 seasons and $27,272,730 in 2033. He additionally will make a $100,000 annual contribution to Phillies charities. His deal features a full no-trade provision.
Turner and his household met with Dombrowski, common supervisor Sam Fuld and supervisor Rob Thomson final month in Florida. Turner had different suitors and turned down not less than one richer supply to signal with Philadelphia.
“This place is fun to play,” Turner mentioned. “I watched a lot of playoff games and this place was rocking.”
Dombrowski downplayed the choice to spend a lot cash on Turner, particularly deep into his 30s, when gamers are historically on the draw back of their careers.
“I do think sometimes you have to differentiate between a normal big league player and an elite athlete,” Dombrowski mentioned. “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 sport subsequent yr doubtless enhanced the free-agent marketplace for Turner, as a result of these are two adjustments that make his athleticism and defensive versatility extra invaluable.
He turned down a $19.65 million qualifying supply from the Dodgers in November, becoming a member of a stellar group of free-agent shortstops that additionally 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, successful the World Series in 2019.
Turner and ace right-hander Max Scherzer had been traded to the Dodgers in a multiplayer deal on the 2021 commerce deadline. Turner hit .338 with 10 homers and 11 steals down the stretch, and Los Angeles made it to the NL Championship Series earlier than being eradicated by Atlanta.
Turner is a .302 hitter with 124 homers, 434 RBIs and 230 steals in 849 video games. He has spent most of his profession at shortstop, however he additionally has made begins at second base and in heart discipline.
He would earn $50,000 every for making the All-Star group, successful a Gold Glove or incomes a Silver Slugger. He would get $500,000 for successful an MVP award, $50,000 for putting second and $25,000 for third. Turner additionally would earn $100,000 for a World Series MVP award and $50,000 for an NLCS MVP designation.
Turner and Harper performed with the Washington Nationals from 2015-18. Harper, who gained an NL MVP award with every group, texted Turner within the offseason and served as a sounding board for questions he had about Philly.
Turner had one on Thursday: Where’s the most effective place to eat? He’ll have 11 years to pattern all of Philly’s delicacies.
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