A major MLB contender has emerged as a favorite to sign a huge free agent.
MLB Network reporter Jon Morosi reported that the Philadelphia Phillies are now the team to beat for All-Star shortstop Trea Turner. Morosi reported the news of the Phillies’ emergence on a Tuesday morning hit on the network.
Matt Vasgersian hinted at previous activity between the Phillies and Turner before he broached the question to Morosi. Morosi responded, “I think right now the Phillies are viewed as the favorites. There are other teams involved, certainly. But the fit for Philadelphia is there.”
The #Phillies have emerged as favorites to sign Trea Turner. My latest report here. @MLBNetwork pic.twitter.com/PVjw5f6NhP
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 30, 2022
Morosi mentioned a few contributing factors to Turner’s eventual decision. They included teams that have spring training in Florida, that he’s a close friend of Phillies’ star and multi-time NL MVP Bryce Harper, and that the Phillies feel they could be a player away from winning the World Series.
Morosi also shared that the San Francisco Giants are a team also involved on Turner. However, there’s a catch. Morosi suggested the Giants wouldn’t spend the projected contract value on Turner unless they got a commitment from 2022 AL MVP Aaron Judge.
Morosi said, “He may still be of interest to the Giants. But I don’t think the Giants will sign another position player for $30 million-plus a year unless they know if they’re going to get Aaron Judge or not. … Whereas for the Phillies, Trea Turner, according to sources, is their top priority.”
The MLB hot stove has been at a slow simmer so far this offseason. Not many major moves have been made yet. But we could be on the cusp if Morosi’s report is just proper foreshadowing.
About Chris Novak
Chris Novak has been talking and writing about sports ever since he can remember. Previously, Novak wrote for and managed sites in the SB Nation network for nearly a decade from 2013-2022