Scott Lauber Discusses the Trea Turner Signing
The Phillies made their first splash in free agency today by signing SS Trea Turner. And Scott Lauber from the Philadelphia Inquirer joined “The Best Show Ever?” to discuss the big move. What does Turner bring to the lineup? Where will he slot into the lineup? Is there anything else the Phillies could have in the works? Scott Lauber discusses that and more. Here is some of what he had to say.
On if He Is Surprised a Deal Got Done So Quickly…
“Honestly, I am not. I have covered Dave Dombrowski for a long time… I have known him to be very direct when he knows what he wants. When he has a specific area of need, he goes out and he addresses it… And the Phillies’ need was very specific. They pinpointed from the day after the World Series that they needed a middle infielder, specifically a shortstop. When it is that specific of a need, he typically can pinpoint a target, and be decisive about going to get it.
Combine Dombrowski and the way he operates, with the way the Phillies have operated. In the last 5 offseasons, they have their offseason priority, and then got the player. And they did that once again. They identified Trea Turner as the best of the 4 shortstops, and they went out and got him.”
On What The Phillies Will Focus on Next…
“Their focus now shifts to the pitching market. I count 411 innings combined between Eflin, Syndergaard, Gibson, Knebel, Hand, and Robertson last year. Some of those innings will be replaced internally, but not all of them. They need to find that middle-of-the-rotation guy who is going to give you 150 + innings, with at least a league-average ERA… That is not necessarily a pitcher who will start for you in a playoff game. But he will be a pitcher who can help you get to the post-season. And that is what they need to find. So whether it is Jose Quintana, Jameson Tailon, or any of these guys who are in the 3rd or 4th tier of starting pitchers.”
Listen to the full interview with Scott Lauber below…
