Phillies insider asserts "Trea Turner is the opposite of Bryce Harper" in clutch moments, yet defends the shortstop’s 'overpaid' $300,000,000 deal
Trea Turner and Bryce Harper are the two highest-paid players on the Philadelphia Phillies roster. Harper's 13-year $330 million contract runs up to 2031 while Turner's 11-year $300 million contract ends in 2033. Interestingly, Turner earns more than Harper annually. However, the shortstop has not matched the impact of the former 2x NL MVP.
On Friday's episode of the "Locked on Phillies Podcast", insider Connor Thomas evaluated Turner's 2024 season with the Phillies. Thomas compared the SS with Harper and shared what he found. [8:22]
"The biggest question about Trea Turner. Well, two biggest questions. One is, in big moments, is he going to come through? He has not really had the clutch thing go on here, and it's unfair. But he's going to always be compared to Bryce Harper because the contracts are very similar," said Thomas.
"Bryce Harper, every time he's up in a big moment, it feels like he goes yard, feels like he gets a hit, feels like he extends the game, feels like he makes something special happen. Trea Turner is the opposite," Thomas added.
Many fans and analysts blamed Turner among others for the Phillies crashing out of the postseason. The shortstop's performance received more scrutiny as he has the biggest per annum salary on the roster. However, Thomas doesn't believe the $300 million contract is a failure. [18:30]
"Trea Turner has underperformed the contract. It does not mean the contract is a failure. It does not mean Trea Turner is a bad baseball player. It does not mean the Philadelphia Phillies fans should boo Trea Turner or that John Middleton and Dave Dombrowski made a bad decision. Sometimes you overpay for an asset that's necessary." said Thomas.
Phillies insider makes an interesting analogy to defend Trea Turner's massive contract
Phillies insider Connor Thomas believes the Phillies can win a World Series despite Turner's defensive vulnerabilities at shortstop. As such, Thomas made an interesting analogy to justify Turner's massive $300 million contract, which he admitted was overpaid. [18:45]
"Like, think about it: Should I spend $15 on a loaf of bread? No. But if I desperately need a loaf of bread and I have the money to spend—like, if I make $100,000 a year—what do I care, right? I needed bread; I got bread," said Thomas.
"So, I overpay a little bit as long as that sandwich tastes good. If that analogy makes any sense, like, the Phillies needed a shortstop; they went and got the best one available," Thomas added.
In addition to Turner's defensive vulnerabilities, the shortstop was impatient at the plate, as his team's plans of a deep postseason run ended at the hands of the New York Mets. Many, including former Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr., have called for Turner, and other Phillies stars to adopt a patient batting approach in 2025.