The Philadelphia Phillies made a big splash in free agency yesterday and grabbed most of the headlines when they signed star shortstop Trea Turner to an 11-year, $300 million contract.
However, there was another team that was rumored to be in the mix for the 29-year-old slugger.
According to Buster Olney of ESPN, the San Diego Padres, the team that drafted Turner, had offered the star shortstop a contract worth $341 million, which if he had signed it, would have made him the highest paid shortstop in all of baseball.
Unfortunately, it was not to be, and Turner ultimately chose the defending National League champions over the team that drafted him.
The Padres outbid the Phillies by offering Trea Turner a contract worth more than $341 million, which would have made him the highest paid shortstop in MLB, per @Buster_ESPN pic.twitter.com/wrb3lg9Q4W
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) December 6, 2022
Friars Miss Out On Turner
Ultimately, it most likely came down to the fact that Turner had an East Coast preference, which would also have him closer to his home in Florida for spring training.
But this has to hurt for the Padres.
Not only did they fall short against the Phillies in the NLCS, but they also outbid the Phils on Turner and still were unable to sign him.
Once again, the Padres have received the short end of the stick against the Phillies.
This could mean that the Padres will pivot to one of the other free agent shortstops.
Dansby Swanson, Carlos Correa, and Xander Bogaerts are all still available.
Perhaps a trade for a shortstop could be in the Padres future as well.
But for now, this is going to sting for the Padres.
The Phillies can now add Turner to a stacked lineup that already includes Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Rhys Hoskins, Nick Castellanos, and J.T. Realmuto.
NEXT: The Padres May Decide To Force A Fit In The Infield
