THE SHORTSTOP MARKET BEGINS TO UNSPOOL! TREMBLE IN EXCITEMENT AND TERROR!
The first move is arguably the most expected, with the Philadelphia Phillies flexing their post-World Series might and signing Trea Turner to a huge deal:
Philosophically, it’s the Bryce Harper-type deal, which runs counter to much of the rest of the market: super-duper long-term to keep the AAV down. I highly doubt the Phillies ACTUALLY want a 41-year-old shortstop, but that’s the deal that got the signing done, and the guarantee isn’t any larger than expected.
The Phillies are going to be so loaded on offense for the next several years. Good lord.
Now we wait on what happens with Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts, and Dansby Swanson, all of whom have been more closely connected to the Cubs than Turner ever was. Since Turner went to the spot most were expecting, this signing at least doesn’t negatively impact the market for the Cubs, for what that’s worth.
The rest of the shortstop market ain’t gonna love that Turner just signed for a $27.27 million AAV, by the way, even if the guarantee is solid.
More soon.