Philadelphia Phillies president Dave Dombrowski says shortstop Trea Turner’s defense must improve, framing it as a requirement for the team as it looks ahead to the next season. Multiple outlets report Dombrowski’s comments in the context of Turner's 2026 performance and what the Phillies expect at shortstop going forward.
According to reporting, Dombrowski indicates the organization is planning for Turner to be its shortstop in 2027, but only if he meets defensive standards. The Athletic and Yahoo Sports describe his message as urgent, with Dombrowski putting Turner “on notice” and using language such as “mandatory” and “has to be better.” CBS Sports adds that the Phillies also plan to support the position move by hiring an ex–Mets manager as an infield coach, suggesting a focus on player development to address the defensive concerns.
Taken together, the outlets agree Dombrowski’s stance is firm: the Phillies anticipate continuity at shortstop if Turner improves defensively, while the team simultaneously increases coaching resources during the offseason.
