Now that the 2026 campaign has concluded for the Philadelphia Phillies, the organization must return to the planning stages to map out ways to upgrade the roster.
The 2026 run was undeniably peculiar for the franchise. They began the year performing as arguably the weakest squad in baseball, yet managed to mount a comeback and qualify for the postseason.
Given the high standards of this franchise, bowing out in the Wild Card Round is viewed as a major disappointment. Although Philadelphia has reached the postseason five years in a row, they have suffered early exits in each of the past three seasons.
Having already dismissed manager Rob Thomson after their slow start to the year, the next significant transformation could target the roster. This roster features a core of experienced veterans, but they have struggled to achieve postseason success. Among those who underperformed is shortstop Trea Turner, whose future with the club remains highly uncertain. Whether through a potential trade or a change in defensive positioning, all paths are currently being explored.
What Routes Can the Phillies Take if Turner Changes Positions?
Feb 19, 2026; Clearwater, FL, USA; Phillies infielder Aidan Miller (81) during a media day session. Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
If the front office decides to retain Turner and transition him to an outfield role, a massive hole will open up at shortstop. Because shortstop demands elite defensive play, Philadelphia will need to have a solid contingency plan in place should Turner indeed switch positions.
In terms of free agency, several intriguing avenues exist for the club. Ha-seong Kim of the Atlanta Braves stands out as a premier target at shortstop and could be an excellent fit.
Alternatively, the Phillies could look to internal candidates. Though Aidan Miller experienced a challenging 2026 season, the highly-rated prospect recovered in time to make an impact down the stretch.
A persistent back issue kept him sidelined for the majority of the year, but his immense upside makes him a strong candidate to compete for a spot next spring. Without that injury setback, he might have easily made his major league debut this past year.
Though the ideal scenario would feature Turner continuing at shortstop for Philadelphia, his defensive decline was just as damaging to the club as his slump at the plate.
The team is expected to explore potential trades for him this winter, though executing such a deal appears highly unlikely. If a trade does not materialize, shifting him to the outfield remains a viable solution, and the front office is fortunate to have several directions they can go.
This story was first published on www.si.com/mlb/phillies/onsi under the title Breaking Down Options if Phillies Move Trea Turner From Shortstop.
