The Philadelphia Phillies plan to retain Trea Turner at shortstop for the 2027 MLB season. On Thursday, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski confirmed that Turner will start next season at the position but emphasized the need for improvement following a disappointing 2026 season.

Dombrowski stated, "He did not have a good year. He needs to fix things with his swing. He knows he has to be better at shortstop. I told him that is mandatory. I told him he cannot play shortstop like he did in 2026 going into 2027." While Turner has experience in the outfield, his preference remains the infield.

In 2026, Turner posted career lows, hitting .242/.297/.378 with 21 errors, minus-17 defensive runs saved, and minus-8 outs above average. This marked a stark contrast to his performance in 2025, where he finished fifth in NL MVP voting.

The Phillies face challenges this offseason, particularly in the shortstop market, with options like Mauricio Dubón being more utility players than everyday starters. Potential trade candidates include Zach Neto from the Los Angeles Angels and Jeremy Peña of the Houston Astros, though the Phillies may lack the necessary prospects for a bidding war.

Top prospect Aidan Miller missed most of the 2026 season due to a back injury, while Bryson Stott, who has shortstop capabilities, could be a viable solution if the team decides to shift players around.

In other news, the Phillies re-signed lefty reliever Tim Mayza and appointed former New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza as their new third base and infield coach. After finishing the 2026 season with an 88-74 record, the Phillies lost in the Wild Card Series to the Atlanta Braves. With Turner's contract running through 2033, the team hopes for a successful turnaround.