If things don’t improve for this superstar going forward, the contract he signed could become a nightmare moving forward.
In March 2019, Bryce Harper signed a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, the largest contract ever given out in Major League Baseball history.
It was also an indication that the squad, which had not made the playoffs since 2012, was serious about fielding a competitive team once more.
Even if the Phillies didn’t make the playoffs again until 2022, giving a big-name player like Harper a contract like that was a huge step in the right direction.
The team has spent a significant amount of money developing its roster since then.
Superstar shortstop Trea Turner signed an 11-year, $300 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, emphasizing the team’s desire to construct a winner after the team advanced to the World Series in 2022 but ultimately lost.
He was seen as a component that could help the Phillies win their first pennant since 2008.
But Turner had a very difficult first half of the season, which contributed significantly to their poor start.
He eventually made things right and demonstrated to everyone why they should be thrilled to have him for many more years to come on their roster.
However, there’s also a chance Philadelphia’s contract could end up being a nightmare.
“Turner has eight years remaining on his contract and will be 32 at the start of [the 2026] season. Few shortstops have played past the age of 35, and even fewer continue to be effective into their late 30s. But woof, if he starts to crumble by 32. Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report writes, “At least the Phillies will stop paying both Kyle Schwarber and JT Realmuto after 2025, but that would be a hard pill to swallow for a long time.”
That’s definitely something worth thinking about.
The Phillies were certain that Turner would be their premier shortstop going forward, concluding his career in a fashion akin to that of Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees, when they signed him.
There are some questions regarding how things might turn out once the deal hits the back end due to his inconsistent start to the season.
In any case, Turner is expected to rebound in 2024, according to Baseball Reference, with a slash line of.288/.341/.475, 22 home runs, 76 RBI, and 27 stolen bases.
In the end, the superstar should prove in his second season in Philadelphia that he is still among the top baseball players.