Phillies Make Trea Turner Decision After Trade News

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Phillies Make Trea Turner Decision After Trade News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Aug 3, 2026 3:32 PM ET

The Phillies made one of the biggest moves before the MLB trade deadline by acquiring three-time batting champion Luis Arraez from the San Francisco Giants.

The trade gives their lineup another proven contact hitter as they continue their push toward the postseason. It also forced Philadelphia to reshuffle its defense, with Bryce Harper expected to move back to the outfield for the first time in four years to create room for Arraez in the infield.

The defensive changes did not stop there. The Phillies also discussed moving Alec Bohm to first base and Bryson Stott to third base as they worked through different alignment options.

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One position, however, was never part of those conversations despite months of outside speculation surrounding Trea Turner’s future at shortstop.

When asked how much discussion there was about moving Turner off shortstop, manager Don Mattingly said there were no conversations with Turner about changing positions (h/t Philadelphia Sports Network’s Cory Nidoh).

Don Mattingly on how much conversation there was with Trea Turner moving to the outfield:

"Zero." #Phillies
— Cory Nidoh (@Cory_Nidoh) August 3, 2026

Mattingly added that the club spoke with Harper about returning to the outfield, Bohm about playing first base and Stott about shifting to third (via NBC Philadelphia’s Bill Colarulo). The decision comes despite Turner enduring a difficult defensive season, one that has fueled calls for a position change.

Mattingly has remained consistent throughout the year that Turner is still a key part of the Phillies’ plans at shortstop.

Turner, 33, is in the fourth season of his 11-year, $300 million contract with Philadelphia. After winning the National League batting title in 2025, he is slashing .250/.299/.404 (.703 OPS) with 16 home runs, 43 RBIs in 109 games.

Though he has struggled to match last season’s production, the Phillies have continued to back him publicly.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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