3 Phillies who could make or break the team’s World Series chance this year
By Tim Boyle
2. The Phillies free agent signing of Trea Turner must be a home run
The biggest addition to the roster this offseason was Trea Turner. The Turner signing needs to be a home run. In fact, we can kick it up a few levels more. Turner needs to be an inside-the-park grand slam home run so humiliating to the other team that they forfeit the game and pick up a different sport thereafter.
Turner gives the Phillies a legitimate leadoff hitter, although we can still expect Schwarber to get some of those at-bats this year, too. He’s fast, a good yet not great fielder, and most importantly a reliable overall hitter. Turner can hit home runs, drive in his teammates, and easily become a difference-maker on the 2023 team.
A player like Turner was missing from the Phillies last season. They were a club of sluggers with questionable fielding abilities. Rather than pile onto that skill, the front office went out and made one of the best moves possible.
If Turner is anything short of magnificent, expect the team to suffer in the standings. This is the first of an 11-year deal. The last thing the team needs is for this free-agent signing to start off poorly.
Turner is the kind of guy who can take over a series in a variety of ways. While not nearly as dominant as Harper, Turner brings plenty of skills the fans can look forward to seeing each game in 2023.