Phillies Mailbag: Turner, Day Care Future, and Bullpen Back

We are back once again with the 97.3 ESPN Phillies Mailbag.  Each week we take your questions and answer them on The Sports Bash with Mike Gill.  Tune in Tuesday afternoons to hear your questions answered on the air.

Is Trea Turner playing shortstop next year?
~Dan

I have thought a lot about this this year, but really, in the last week or two, my perspective seems to have changed.  I would have told you an emphatic "no" for sure - but now I think that he is going to be back at shortstop next year.

The reason for this is two-fold.

First, Aidan Miller did not get off the ground this year.  He has yet to play (will he?) due to his "sore back".  He had an ablation to manage the pain he was feeling in his back, but his status is unclear.

The word to The Athletic last week?  "Continuing to progress."   That's it.

So he will not be ready to take over any infield position next year.

But enter Bryan Rincon.

Rincon has dazzled at Double-A Reading this year.  He's a switch-hitting shortstop, who developed some power this season. The 22 year-old has 22 home runs and a .917 OPS this season for the Fightin' Phils.

The development has made him the number five prospect in the Phillies system, according to MLB Pipeline.

I think that Rincon just might be the next Phillies shortstop.  He grades well at the position, and with the added power, he has a chance to stick.

I can see Rincon maybe getting a brief cup of coffee at Triple-A this year in the final weeks, and starting next season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Depending on what other moves the Phillies can make heading into 2027, I think they might just wait and see if Rincon claims the position after next year - or - if Miller reappears.

Alec Bohm, Brandon Marsh, Bryson Stott: who do you see in the Phillies plans long-term, if any?
~T

The Phillies got an All-Star appearance from Brandon Marsh this season, a July resurgance ferom Alec Bohm, and an impressive July into August from Bryson Stott, too.  That said, I think there's a sure departure, a potential depature, and someone the Phillies could hold onto.

I think Alec Bohm likely departs the Phillies at the end of this year.  Bohm is going to be a free agent, and I think that the Phillies probably move on from Bohm.   This is because while he can have some really good streaks, he has some very down streaks.

I think the Phillies will look for more consistency from an infield position heading into next year.

And, the Phillies are going to be moving Bryce Harper back to first base in all liklihood.

As for Marsh, his first half surge was impressive.  He seemed to show that maybe he was not a platoon player after all, and could play every day.

But he has slowed.  Marsh has just a .624 OPS against lefties, much of that coming as the season went on.

I think Marsh could be someone who stays next year or could be moved, depending on what other moves the Phillies make.  I'm leaning that he probably stays for the final year of his rookie deal, but I can see the Phillies moving him this offseason if they have a more permanent option appear.

Finally, I think that Stott is a candidate for an extension.   The fact that he so seamlessly - and impressively - moved back to third base shows that he gives the Phillies a lot of options.

I can see Stott returning as the third baseman and with an extension.  He could play second, too.  If Luis Arraez wants to take a deal of three years or less, he could return.  I don't think the Phillies should go too long on an Arraez deal.

Is there a realistic chance of Alex McFarlane, Brooks Raley, and Jonathan Bowlan taking over the high leverage situations that have gone to Orion Kerkering and Jose Alvarado the last couple seasons?
~Franko

I think some of this has already happened.  I think that Orion Kerkering and Jose Alvarado have already been knocked down a peg so far in the Phillies bullpen.  But I'm guessing last night's game might have prompted the question.

First, be certain that Jonathan Bowlan is the eighth inning arm.  He's also going to get the ball to close when Jhoan Duran is not available.  He has been a steal of a pickup from the Kansas City Royals, and I think the Phillies have full faith in him.

Bowlan was not available last night due to his recent usage.  Expect him back in that role tonight.

But as for Brooks Raley, I think the plan initially was for Raley to pitch the eighth inning that Alvarado did.

Kerkering got two outs, but only with a hit and a walk, letting two runners get on base.  Raley was called in to get through that inning.

Raley did not then come out for the eighth inning.  I think this has to do with the fact that he is 38 years old and they did not want the "up and down" of coming back into the game after a half-inning.