Phillies President Dave Dombrowski Warns Trea Turner Over Defensive Struggles

Trea Turner committed a league-high 21 errors at shortstop in 2026 while hitting just .242 with a .675 OPS.

Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski informed Trea Turner during a Tuesday meeting at Citizens Bank Park that he must improve his defense to remain the team's starting shortstop. Turner, 33, finished the 2026 season with a league-worst 21 errors at the position. This defensive decline followed a 2025 campaign where he led the National League in hitting and committed only eight errors.

Turner struggled at the plate in 2026, posting a .242 batting average and a .675 OPS. His difficulties extended into the postseason, where he went 1-for-11 as the Phillies were eliminated in three games by the Atlanta Braves during the National League wild-card series. The shortstop currently has seven years and $190 million remaining on a $300 million contract that includes a no-trade clause.

Dombrowski indicated that a move to the outfield is a potential fallback if Turner does not regain average fielding form by spring training. Internal alternatives at shortstop include Bryson Stott, who played third base following the 2026 trade deadline, and top prospects Aidan Miller and Bryan Rincon. Miller, the organization's No. 2 prospect, is expected to compete for a roster spot in 2027 after missing most of the previous season with a back injury.

The Phillies roster faces additional changes as three-time batting champion Luis Arraez enters free agency and Brandon Marsh looks to rebound from a .183 second-half batting average. Bryce Harper is slated to return to first base full-time next season after spending the final two months of 2026 in right field.