Blue Jays should resist temptation to trade for Phillies stars Bryce Harper or Trea Turner

The Philadelphia Phillies appear set to explore some big roster changes after flaming out early in the postseason once again. 

While acquiring Bryce Harper or Trea Turner via trade could certainly make the Toronto Blue Jays better in 2027, they should steer clear for the exact reason the Phillies are shopping them: their massive contracts. 

Why Bryce Harper and Trea Turner are the wrong trade targets for the Blue Jays

The case against trading for Turner is clear. The 33-year-old is coming off the worst season of his career in 2026, during which he slashed just .242/.297/.378. It was a sharp decline from the previous year when he stole 36 bases and led the National League with a .302 batting average. 

Turner’s underlying metrics don’t suggest any positive regression is coming in 2027. His xWOBA ranked in just the 14th percentile, while his bat speed, hard-hit percentage, and barrel rate were all below average. His defence at shortstop, meanwhile, graded as some of the worst in the entire league with -10 outs above average. 

The most terrifying part about Turner’s poor performance from the Phillies’ perspective is that they still owe him roughly $27.2 million annually through 2033. His contract is an albatross the Blue Jays should have zero interest in absorbing onto their payroll. 

The case for kicking the tires on a Harper trade is more interesting. He, unlike Turner, was great offensively in 2026, hitting 29 home runs with an .865 OPS. He also appeared in all 162 games for the first time in his legendary 15-year career to dispel any notion that he is no longer an elite player. 

The issue is once again the contract, however. Harper is signed through 2031 with an annual salary of over $25 million. The Phillies clearly don’t want to pay him that much money when he’s 38, so why would the Blue Jays? It’s fair to wonder how many years of excellent production he has left in the tank. 

There’s also his defensive position—or lack thereof—to consider. Harper played first base the past few years, but moved back into the outfield down the stretch to accommodate trade deadline acquisition Luis Arraez. The costly miscue he made in the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves was all the proof anyone should need as to why that experiment shouldn’t continue in 2027. 

With Vladimir Guerrero Jr. entrenched at first base and Anthony Santander likely clogging up the DH spot in the lineup, the Blue Jays clearest avenue for improvement is adding a true outfielder. Signing a free agent like Seiya Suzuki would be a much cleaner fit. 

Now, if the Blue Jays are willing to play Santander in the field—or move on from him entirely—that would change the calculus on Harper, especially if the Phillies are willing to eat some of his contract. Slotting him as their DH at somewhat of a discount would be a no-brainer in that case. 

Still, while big names can be enticing, the Blue Jays would be wise to remember that the Phillies are looking to move on from Harper and Turner for a reason. They should proceed with caution on both. 

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