The Philadelphia Phillies’ playoff dreams were dashed in the NLDS, and Trea Turner’s struggles at the plate didn’t help their cause. Turner’s 11-year, $300 million contract was designed to make him a cornerstone, but with each passing season, questions about his performance are starting to simmer. Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer picked Turner’s contract as one likely to age poorly by 2026, suggesting that Philadelphia could soon be looking at a costly “nightmare.”
Turner’s speed and power have been the pillars of his game, but both seem to be declining. This season, he posted his lowest sprint speed on record, and his ability to hit fastballs—a skill once second nature—has started to falter. Defensively, he’s no longer the standout he once was, per Outs Above Average. And while his numbers are solid, they’re far from the heights he hit with the Nationals and Dodgers. His career-high 7.1 WAR in 2021 has steadily dipped, hitting 3.9 in 2024.
Turner’s postseason track record with the Phillies shows an interesting trend: Philadelphia advances when he performs, but they falter when he doesn’t. In 2023, he posted a blistering OPS in the Wild Card and NLDS, only to struggle as Philly fell to Arizona in the NLCS. This year, Turner’s struggles against the Mets in the NLDS (.200/.294/.200 in 17 plate appearances) mirrored that pattern, casting doubt on his ability to deliver in crunch time.
While Turner’s production was strong in the regular season, his age (31) and injury history are red flags. With his $300 million contract on the books, the Phillies will hope he can bounce back to his peak—but as Rymer suggests, that peak may be slipping further out of reach.
What do you think? Is Turner’s contract on the verge of becoming an anchor for Philadelphia’s payroll, or does he have a comeback in him? Share your thoughts below!
