Should the Phillies move shortstop Trea Turner to center field?

The prospect has been bantered about in various media circles. Turner’s 12 errors — second worst in the majors — have stirred plenty of concerns, especially with the postseason in mind.

Actually, it might not be quite as far-fetched as one may believe. Turner played 45 games in center field for the Nationals in 2016 and committed two errors. Since 2023, Turner has a major league-worst minus-30 defensive runs saved.

He looks as though he would be a natural in center field.

If the Phils decide to make the move, how would the dominoes fall?

Bo Knows Baseball ... One possible move the Phils could make — a costly one — would be to acquire Bo Bichette from the Mets. Before the season, Bichette appeared to be locked in as the team’s solution as a right-handed power bat in the lineup.

The plan was to have Bichette play third base and put Alec Bohm on the market.

The Mets suddenly swooped in and signed Bichette to a three-year, $126 million deal.

Now Bichette could be part of a Mets fire sale in early August. He can opt out of his deal at the end of the season.

Despite a slow start, Bichette has played better in June and July. He is on pace for 17-20 homers, 90-95 RBIs and roughly a .265-.275 season.

Depending on how the trade deadline shakes down, Phils president Dave Dombrowski could still be back in the running for Bichette in the offseason if he decides to use his option.

Bichette could easily slide in at shortstop, and provides a better glove.

Other Options ... If Turner shifts to center field, the Phils could move Edmundo Sosa to either shortstop or second base, and Bryson Stott can play either spot as well.

Sosa, who got the start at short Wednesday night, is the better glove, but doesn’t have a consistent bat, though he has come up with his share of big hits. Aside from Sosa, there really isn’t anyone in the system.

Aidan Miller underwent a back procedure at the beginning of June, and his prognosis was six to eight weeks before returning to the field. But Miller hasn’t been at Coca-Cola Park this season. His presence could have solved the problem.

Aside from Miller, there is little help on the farm. Christian Cairo — son of former major leaguer Miguel Cairo — is the IronPigs’ shortstop, hitting .268. He is a career minor leaguer with 231 games and 1,764 at-bats. Aroon Escobar, likely the top infield prospect outside of Miller, is hitting .230 at Reading.

Make the Move ... Justin Crawford was targeted to be the Phils’ center fielder, but his struggles against left-handers (.179) have often taken him out of the lineup.

If Turner does make the move, the Phils could shift Crawford to left field — his position with the IronPigs — and have Brandon Marsh as a fixture in right.

The Phillies have been reluctant to give Crawford an everyday job, but they might have to give him the nod. He could then slide into the natural leadoff spot, even though he has 58 strikeouts and 16 walks in 260 at-bats with a .306 OBP and a .648 OPS.

Derek Hill has been a valuable addition, hitting over .300 since he came over from the White Sox. Gabriel Rincones will also get his share of chances as another left-handed option.

Jumping Out of Water ... With their 2-0 win over Seattle and the Phillies’ loss Wednesday, Miami pulled into a second-place tie with the Phillies.

The Marlins have won 15 of their last 19 games, and Otto Lopez leads the majors with a .345 average.

Catch a Tiger ... The burners will be turned up soon on the Tarik Skubal sweepstakes, and the Yankees apparently are back at the forefront of those discussions.

Aside from Cam Schlittler — who has had some ups and downs — the Yankees’ starting staff has gone from a strength to a concern.

When Max Fried went down on May 13, the Yankees were still confident with Schlittler, Gerrit Cole, Will Warren, Carlos Rodón and Ryan Weathers.

Since then, Cole has struggled since returning from Tommy John surgery, Warren has come back to earth after opening 7-1, with his last victory coming May 31, Rodón has an inflamed elbow and is sidelined for two weeks, and Weathers has lost his early magic.

With the Yankees’ recent anemic offense — 42 strikeouts over their previous three games entering Wednesday night — they have set their sights on Skubal. Paul Goldschmidt entered Wednesday’s game hitless in his previous 34 plate appearances with 14 strikeouts, while Cody Bellinger was in a 6-for-59 slump with 19 strikeouts.

Having a lockout looming next season, the Yankees’ best shot at winning their 28th title is acquiring Skubal. They have to upgrade offensively at catcher (Austin Wells, .148) and third base (Ryan McMahon, .210), which may be a Herculean effort, but Skubal would give them the best starting staff in baseball.

Top prospect second baseman George Lombard Jr., likely coveted in a Skubal deal, is hitting .231 at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and currently has a finger injury.

Twist the Cap ... It is becoming increasingly inevitable that the players and owners will have a lockout before next season. The current collective bargaining agreement expires Dec. 1.

Of course, the main sticking point continues to be a salary cap, which is used by all of the other major sports. The NFL has managed to extend the cap over the last few years, and it has proved to be beneficial.

Baseball owners have proposed a hard cap of $245.3 million, a hard floor of $171.2 million and a 50/50 revenue split. The players have bluntly stated they don’t want a salary cap.

However, the owners have agreed to the union’s proposal to reduce the service-time requirement for free agency from six years to five for players age 30 and older.

They also have suggested a system similar to the NBA’s “Bird Rights.” Under that model, a team re-signing its own veteran player could offer up to six years and 16% of the salary cap, while signing a free agent from another club would be restricted to five years and 15% of the cap.

The MLBPA is also seeking a “competitive-integrity tax” for any team that does not spend $150 million. It also would like to increase the minimum salary from $780,000 to $1.5 million. Teams with a payroll under $100 million are Cleveland ($79 million), Miami ($80 million), the Chicago White Sox ($90 million), Washington ($93 million), St. Louis ($94 million) and the A’s ($95 million). Pittsburgh recently moved above the threshold ($102 million).

Who’s Number Five? ... The Phillies had planned to use a bullpen game Wednesday night, but they recalled Alan Rangel from Lehigh Valley.

It looked as though Rangel would hold down the fifth spot until he was sent back down.

Overall, Rangel hasn’t pitched poorly, and could possibly hold the spot for a while.

Readers Write

Moose Call

Dear Jeff,

When I read your mention of Ed “Moose” Kosciolek (July 3 column), it brought back memories. My uncle and my father were coaches for the Palmerton Legion team for 16 years.

From age 7 to 13, I was batboy, ball chaser and scorekeeper. I remember “Moose,” as well as several other Panther Valley area players, including Bobby Gelatko, Frank Bydlon, Davy Malken and a few others. They were all welcome additions to the Palmerton squad.

Keep up the good work.

(No name, but an email address was left.)

Scrapbook ... In each column, I will look back at a former diamond standout from our area.

Carter Welch was an outstanding left-hander for the Northwestern Tigers. In his senior season, Welch went 6-3 with a 1.60 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 48 innings, allowing 29 hits and just 19 walks. He helped the Tigers win the 2021 Colonial League championship, and was the 2021 Times News Player of the Year.

Welch continued his career on the mound for the University of Delaware, where he compiled an overall 4-8 record with a 6.07 ERA. In his senior season as a Blue Hen, Welch went 2-1 with a 3.18 ERA in 16 games. He struck out 38 batters in 39 innings.

Your thoughts are always welcome; email them to tnsports@tnonline.com.

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