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As the offseason approaches, the Philadelphia Phillies face several roster decisions, with the shortstop position emerging as a primary area of uncertainty. Trea Turner remains under contract, but his performance in 2026—particularly on defense—has raised doubts about his viability as the everyday starter beyond the upcoming season.
Turner's defensive metrics plummeted last year, ranking among the league's worst, and his offensive output also hit a career low. The Phillies must determine whether the veteran can rebound or if a change is necessary. If the organization decides to move on, internal options like Aidan Miller may not be ready, forcing the team to explore external avenues via trade.
One name that has surfaced as a possible target is Corey Seager of the Texas Rangers. In a recent CBS Sports list of the top 25 trade candidates, Seager was included in the tier of players with no-trade clauses, indicating he would have a say in any potential deal. Acquiring a player of Seager's caliber would typically be challenging for Philadelphia given the current state of its farm system, but his injury history and substantial contract—he is owed $155 million through 2031—could lower the asking price significantly.
Seager, a five-time All-Star, two-time World Series MVP, and three-time Silver Slugger, has dealt with injuries but still accumulated 9.3 bWAR over the past two seasons combined, playing 102 games in each campaign. His 112 OPS+ in 2026 tied for the second-lowest single-season mark of his career, yet it would have ranked third on the Phillies behind only Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber.
Key Analysis
From an offensive standpoint, Seager would represent a major upgrade for a Phillies lineup seeking more power. He has slugged at least 20 home runs in five consecutive seasons and owns a career 162-game average of 32 homers, with a 4.5% home run rate that far exceeds the league average of 3.1%. Additionally, his disciplined approach at the plate and ability to draw walks address a need for Philadelphia. Defensively, Seager remains a stellar defender, which would help mitigate some of the team's offensive shortcomings.
Committing to another player who will be at least 33 years old during the 2027 season carries risk, but Seager would be a considerable upgrade over the current alternatives if Turner is no longer deemed fit for the role. The Phillies must weigh the potential reward against the inherent risks of his age and contract.